

The Deep Dive Spirituality Conversations Podcast
deepdivespirituality
Interested in taking a deep dive into your spiritual and missional formation? Hosted by Dr. Brian Russell (Professor of Biblical Studies and Spiritual Coach), the Deep Dive Spirituality Conversations Podcast will explore the contours of spiritual formation, leadership, and missional practice in our present reality through solo episodes and interviews with leading practitioners and thinkers.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 17, 2024 • 30min
Episode 168 Seven Mistakes that Cause Pastors and Spiritual Leaders to Rust-Out in Ministry and Life
In this week’s episode, Brian Russell presents Avoiding the Seven Mistakes that Cause Pastors and Spiritual Leaders to Rust Out. This episode will also describe the opposite seven behaviors that promote flourishing in ministry for the long haul.
Sign up for Brian’s 2024 Spiritual Growth workshops: www.brianrussellphd.com/growthworkshops . You’ll receive the zoom invites and also you’ll get the video replay as well as all of the tools and resources I share.
Next workshops: July 24 Contemplative Practices for Busy 21st Century Pastors (noon eastern)
Aug 21 How to Be Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation (noon eastern)
Brian’s Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Book Recommended by Brian:
George Leonard, Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment https://amzn.to/3tPw9lU
Brian Russell’s Books
Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3OKecg8
Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ
(re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade): https://amzn.to/3PU5RqE
Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/
Connecting with Brian:
Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group?
Email: brian@brianrussellphd.com
Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

7 snips
Jul 12, 2024 • 45min
Episode 167 Marcum Davis (Part two)–The Legacy “Peace” Formula: how to Create the Life God Desires for you
Marcum Davis, author of 'Legacy', delves into the Legacy 'PEACE' formula, emphasizing purpose, impact, and fulfillment. Topics include legacy creation, aligning with purpose, overcoming challenges, embracing experiences, and building a legacy through kindness and daily rituals.

Jul 5, 2024 • 43min
Episode 166 Marcum Davis on Legacy: Live with Purpose, Find Fulfillment, Be Remembered
Guest Marcum Davis discusses living a life of true legacy, faith, and gratitude. Topics include personal awakening, creating a meaningful legacy, forgiveness with God, biblical symbolism, and building relationships rooted in service and kindness.

Jun 29, 2024 • 32min
Episode 165 Is God on My Side?: Thinking Scripturally About Division and Polarization
In this episode, Brian Russell reflects on the dangers of assuming that God is on our side or my side rather than asking the deeper question: Am I on God's side? Listen in as Brian takes us on a deep dive into Joshua 5:13–15 where Joshua learns the key lesson that prepares him to lead Israel against Jericho and beyond: It's about the holiness of the leader and not about the demonization of the "other." You'll learn how a commitment to the love of God and neighbor shifts the way we can think about the divisions of today and how to live missionally in a world and church that focuses on dualistic tribalism and the demonization of opponents.
This reflection is a sample of what you'll find in Brian's 2023 book: Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation (Invite Press): https://amzn.to/3W2oFqN
Sign up for Brian's Summer 2024 Free Spiritual Growth Virtual Workshops (you'll receive the video and tools even if you can't make it "live"): https://www.brianrussellphd.com/growthworkshops
Sign up for Brian's Monthly Centering Prayer Update (w/invites to virtual gatherings): www.centeringprayerbook.com
Books mentioned in the Podcast:
Christopher Wright, The God I Don’t Understand: Reflections on Tough Questions of Faith (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008) https://amzn.to/3L5pVmN
Stanley Gundry, C.S. Cowles, Eugene Merrill, Daniel Gard, and Tremper Longmann; Show Them No Mercy: Four Views of God and Canaanite Genocide (Grand Rapids: Zondervan: 2003) https://amzn.to/3RMyqah
R. Walter Moberly, Old Testament Theology (2013). https://amzn.to/3RO4ue2
Solzhenitsyn, Gulag Archipelago https://amzn.to/3RNy5nR
Brian Russell’s Other Books:
Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life (2021) https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ
(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9
Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/
Connecting with Brian:
Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group?
Email: brian@brianrussellphd.com
Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.
#scripture #spiritualgrowth #holiness

Jun 17, 2024 • 42min
Episode 164 Roz and Callie Picardo: Discover Your Money Mindset & Grow a Healthy Relationship to Your Finances
In this week's episode, Roz and Callie Picardo return to the podcast to talk about their new book Healthy Money: A 30-Day Journey toward Spiritual, Emotional, and Financial Freedom (Invite, 2024). We share a powerful and insightful conversation around money mindsets, money in relationships, and how these relate to our spiritual growth and formation.
Take the Money Mindset Assessment: https://app.agolix.com/assessment/24830
Order a copy of the book: https://amzn.to/4emzZ8x
For bulk orders, contact Invite for discounts: https://www.inviteresources.com/lp/healthy-money-landing
Listen to our previous conversation: Money Talks: A Biblical Take on Earning, Saving, Spending & Giving https://youtu.be/FHB4SKQqLlA
Signup for Brian's free Summer Spiritual Growth workshops: www.brianrussellphd.com/growthworkshops
Brian's Free Centering Prayer course: https://www.brianrussellphd.com/challenge-page/fb06a8df-99bd-47c0-bc06-0892ec6777ed
Brian Russell’s Books:
Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation (2023) https://amzn.to/3Vw9I07
Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life (2021) https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ
(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9
Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/
Connecting with Brian:
Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group?
Email: brian@brianrussellphd.com
Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support. #stewardship #moneymindset #financialabundance

Jun 8, 2024 • 48min
Episode 163 Amos Smith on Healing the Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots
In this week’s episode, Amos Smith shares deeply from his personal experience in contemplative mysticism. We talk about the release of the 10th anniversary edition of Healing the Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots, why centering prayer is a critical practice today and his writing practice.
Amos Smith (D.Min) earned a Bachelor's degree in Comparative Religion from The University of California at Santa Cruz in 1993, a Masters of Divinity from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley in 1998, and a Doctor of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary in 2008.
Buy a copy of Healing the Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots https://amzn.to/3KFju9L
Check out his other books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39oIxPs
Connect with Amos Smith:
Twitter: @amossmi
Email: amossmi@gmail.com
Web: www.amossmith.org Password: friends
Books mentioned in the conversation:
Van der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score https://amzn.to/4bU1ODE
Athanasius, On the Incarnation https://amzn.to/4bSyzRr
Brian's Free Centering Prayer course: https://www.brianrussellphd.com/challenge-page/fb06a8df-99bd-47c0-bc06-0892ec6777ed
Brian Russell’s Books
Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation (2023) https://amzn.to/3Vw9I07
Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life (2021) https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ
(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9
Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/
Connecting with Brian:
Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com
Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.
#mysticism #spirituality #silence

May 24, 2024 • 32min
Episode 162 "Look at Me!": The Crucial Role of Skin in the Game in Christian Mission and Life
In this episode, I (Brian Russell) take you on a deep dive into Paul's words in Philippians 3:17 "Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.”
Questions I explore: What kind of person do I need to become to serve as a model of Christ like character for others? Is Jesus' life merely aspirational or can humans literally live out the mind and character of Christ? How might God be calling me today to surrender even deeper into the love God and neighbor? What kind of person do I need to become in order to serve as a model of Christ like character for others even more effectively tomorrow than I do today?
Highlighted resource:
Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3OKecg8
Free centering prayer course: https://www.brianrussellphd.com/challenges
Brian Russell’s Other Books:
(re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade): https://amzn.to/3PU5RqE
Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/
Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ
Connecting with Brian:
Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group?
Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com
Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.
#philippians #paul #christianliving

May 17, 2024 • 38min
Episode 161 Paul, Missional Holiness, and Sharing the Gospel Today
In this week’s episode, I reflect on Paul, missional holiness and the Gospel for today. I offer a deep dive into Paul’s missional method as he describes it in 1 For 9:19–27. This episode will empower you for more profound missional engagement in your community.
Highlighted resources:
(re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade): https://amzn.to/3PU5RqE
Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/
Free centering prayer course: https://www.brianrussellphd.com/challenges
Brian Russell’s Other Books:
Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3OKecg8
Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ
Connecting with Brian:
Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com
Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

May 10, 2024 • 43min
Episode 160 The Book of Acts as a Missional Map for Today
In this week’s episode, I offer a missional overview of the book of Acts. I cover three core aspects of the missional message of the book: Mission is spirit driven; Mission advances in spite of persecution through the bold and courageous witness of people; and the apostles use a variety of methods to fulfill the mission of God in their day.
Highlighted resources:
(re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade): https://amzn.to/3PU5RqE
Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/
Brian Russell’s Other Books:
Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3OKecg8
Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ
Connecting with Brian:
Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com
Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

May 2, 2024 • 46min
Episode 159 Spiritual Reflections on My Extended Sabbath and Travel
In this week's episode, I share key spiritual growth lessons from my recent extended sabbath time and travel to Italy and Greece.
I start with reading a section of Seneca’s Letter 28 on Travel, reflect on not working at all for 19 days, ponder the wonders of 21st century life, share a deep insight into “eternal” kingdoms and life’s meaning, contemplate the “relics” of Christendom (Eastern and Western versions), marvel at the long term influence of Athens and Rome, describe the brilliant missional audacity of Paul, and share a couple of my “heart strangely warmed” moments from the trip.
Check out Seneca's Letters from a Stoic (Penguin) https://amzn.to/3Wo2cp1
Brian Russell’s Books:
Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3OKecg8
Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ
(re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade): https://amzn.to/3PU5RqE
Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbedhttps://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/
Connecting with Brian:
Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group?
Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com
Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.