The Deep Dive Spirituality Conversations Podcast

In this week’s episode, Amos Smith shares deeply from his personal experience in contemplative mysticism. We talk about silence, solitude, and the inner life including insights from his latest book (releasing in 2023): Journey of Holistic Mysticism: Experiencing the Integrated Spirituality of the Quakers. 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. He is a lifelong student of three streams: Progressive Christianity, Contemplative Christianity, and Eastern Mystic Christianity. Check out his books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39oIxPs Connect with Amos Smith: Twitter: @amossmi Authors Recommended by Amos: Jean-Pierre de Caussade, Kitty Muggeridge, et al., Sacrament of the Present Moment, https://amzn.to/3ZlDN0Q Maximus the Confessor https://amzn.to/3ZjfUqT Brian Russell’s Books Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ  or sign up for information: www.centeringprayerbook.com  (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 Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors: www.deepdivespirituality.com  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 #contemplative #prayer

Ben Gosden, pastor of Trinity Church in Savannah Georgia takes us on a deep dive into addiction, recovery and ministry. Years into a success ministry as a United Methodist pastor, Ben found himself struggling with alcoholism. Listen in as he shares a powerful testimony about the transformational power of 12 steps. We don't merely talk about alcoholism but about the deeper roots of addiction. Addiction isn't really even the problem per se; addiction is a solution but its a bad solution to even deeper problems. Connecting with Ben: Faith Revisted Podcast https://faithrevisitedpodcast.com/ Twitter: @bgosden Books Recommend by Ben: Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation https://amzn.to/3Z1ypjx Rohr, Breathing Under Water, https://amzn.to/3FDS1n7 Anne Lamont, Plan B https://amzn.to/3TukKQK Hirschfield, Twelve Steps for Everyone https://amzn.to/3Ly0dcd Brian Russell’s Information Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com Brian Russell’s Books 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 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.

In this week's episode Dr. Jorge Acevedo takes us on a deep dive into his new book Everybody Needs Some Cave Time: Finding God in Dark Places. We talk about the transformations found in Scripture and also weave in themes of recovery ministry and transitions to new callings from God.   Buy a copy of Jorge’s latest: Everybody Needs Some Cave Time: https://amzn.to/3Jlsh0W Connecting with Jorge: Website: www.jorgeacevedo.com Books Recommended by Jorge: Bolsinger, Temper Resilience  https://amzn.to/41WwZcH McNeal, A Work of Heart: Understanding How God Shapes Spiritual Leaders https://amzn.to/3l1sVav Ortberg, Soul Keeping https://amzn.to/3ypJErg   Brian Russell’s Information Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com   Brian Russell’s Books 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 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.

In this week's episode Andrew Lang takes us on a deep dive into gaining awareness and control of your though life. What are the negative tapes and ideas that you allow to live rent free in your mind? Listen in and discover ways of finding freedom from fear, guilt and shame as well as other lies that diminish our capacity to live the abundant life. Buy Andrew's book: Unmasking the Inner Critic: Lessons for Living an Unrestricted Life https://amzn.to/3krjC3n  Books Recommended by Andrew: Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning https://amzn.to/3xN7yN0 Richard Rohr, Immortal Diamond https://amzn.to/3xOVTx1 -------Falling Upwards https://amzn.to/3xNHykD Menakem, My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies https://amzn.to/3SwEtif  Brian Russell’s Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com Centering Prayer Updates and Invitations to Monthly Gatherings: www.centeringprayerbook.com Brian Russell’s Books 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 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.

In this week's episode, Brian explores Jesus' saying, "Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect." He discusses how it is a guide to embody the ethic of God's kingdom which is an expansive and boundary breaking love for others, even our enemies. Brian Russell’s Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com Centering Prayer Updates and Invitations to Monthly Gatherings: www.centeringprayerbook.com Books Recommended: Didache, https://amzn.to/3Kvmrv5 Brian Russell’s Books 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 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.  

In this week's episode Gene Yotka takes us on a deep dive into how spiritual direction helps us grow even deeper in Christ. We talk about the enneagram as well as contemplative practices. We end with conversation about moving from contemplation in silence and solitude into embodying Christ in the world. Connecting with Gene: Email: theawakeninginstitutue@gmail.com Website: www.theawakeninginstitute.com Facebook: The Awakening Institute Gene's book: Knowing as We are Known: An Excercise in Inner Stillness https://amzn.to/3uNwlzn Books Recommended by Gene: Howard Thurman, The Centering Moment, https://amzn.to/3RPlXRS Teresa of Avila, Interior Castle https://amzn.to/3AQc1B6 Julian of Norwich, Showings https://amzn.to/3IBGEwa John of the Cross, Ascent of Mount Carmel https://amzn.to/3Psgw93 Merton, Seven Story Mountain https://amzn.to/3z3cNtl Brian Russell’s Information Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com Brian Russell’s Books 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 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.

In this week’s episode, I take a deep dive into the role and power of gratitude for opening us to higher levels of spiritual growth. Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com Join Brian’s Monthly free centering prayer gathering: www.centeringprayerbook.com Resources Recommended on Today’s Episode: Marcus Aurelius, Meditations https://amzn.to/2LrD1za  Epictetus, Discourses https://amzn.to/2LrTEe4    and  Enchiridion https://amzn.to/3bfDIX9  Seneca, Letters from a Stoic https://amzn.to/3rYtwZa  Gratitude Amplifier: For worksheet, email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com Brian Russell’s Books 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 Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9 Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/ Brian’s Recommended Resources on Centering Prayer: https://www.brianrussellphd.com/post/my-top-ten-favorite-resources-on-centering-prayer    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. #gratitude #spiritualformation #spiritualgrowth

In this week’s episode, Jesse Eubanks takes us on a deep dive into how we can grow in our understanding of God, ourselves, and others through the use of the Enneagram. Check out Jesse’s new book: How We Relate: Understanding, God, Yourself and Others through the Enneagram https://amzn.to/3kpuGxt Jesse Eubanks is a certified Enneagram coach and host of The EnneaCast, a podcast exploring personality and relationships through the lens of the Enneagram. Jesse is also the founder and executive director of Love Thy Neighborhood, a discipleship and missions agency mobilizing people to follow Jesus and serve the poor in modern culture. Relevant named him one of the top 50 Christian artists and activists who are making an impact on culture in America. Jesse and his wife, Lindsay, have two children and live in Louisville, Kentucky. Website: https://lovethyneighborhood.org The Enneacast Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/love-thy-neighborhood-presents-the-enneacast/id1410031710  Resources Recommended on Today’s Episode: Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew https://amzn.to/3XUznOx John Perkins, Beyond Charity https://amzn.to/3wGRagB John Mark Comer, Ruthless Elimination of Hurry https://amzn.to/3D63oTe Brian’s Interview with A.J. Sherrill https://deepdivespirituality.podbean.com/e/episode-27-dr-aj-sherrill-on-the-enneagram-and-spiritual-formation/ Brian Russell’s Books 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 Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9 Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/   Brian’s Recommended Resources on Centering Prayer: https://www.brianrussellphd.com/post/my-top-ten-favorite-resources-on-centering-prayer  Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com 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. #enneagram #spiritualformation #spiritualgrowth

In this week’s episode, I review key lessons for spiritual growth that I learned in 2022 that will serve you in your life today. Brian’s Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Link to sign up for the 2023 Centering Prayer Summit ( “Live” January 21-22). You can attend live via Zoom or watch the recordings at your leisure. I found the 2022 even particularly helpful for deepening my own practice and spiritual growth.  https://www.centeringprayersummit.com/referral/cps2023aff/wwHz9Xayr3cr5XG4 Sign up for Brian's Centering Prayer Monthly Gathering  www.centeringprayerbook.com Books Recommended during this Episode Gay Hendricks, The Big Leap https://amzn.to/3kdtTje  Gerald May, Will & Spirit: A Contemplative Psychology https://amzn.to/3ZySWNW  Podcasts/Websites Mentioned as Abundance Partners: Rich Lewis www.silenceteaches.com  Mark Dunwoody, https://healthyrhythms.org/  Joshua Bertolotti, In Search of Wisdom  https://www.perennialleader.com/ Brandon Tumblin, The Strong Stoic https://brandontumblin.com/strongstoicpodcast  Simon Drew, The Walled Garden www.thewalledgarden.com  Brian Russell’s Books 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 Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9 Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/ Brian’s Recommended Resources on Centering Prayer: https://www.brianrussellphd.com/post/my-top-ten-favorite-resources-on-centering-prayer Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com 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.

In this week’s episode, I offer a deep dive into the story of the Magi from Matthew 2:1–12. I explore the contours of the story to discover challenges for religious insiders and invitation for those on the margins. Brian’s Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Brian Russell’s Books 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 Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9 Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/ Brian’s Recommended Resources on Centering Prayer: https://www.brianrussellphd.com/post/my-top-ten-favorite-resources-on-centering-prayer Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com Connecting with Brian: Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Twitter: @briandrussell Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach (in person or virtually) 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.