Unhurried Living | Helping Christians Rest Deeper & Lead Better

If you’ve ever wrestled with how your personal faith connects with the pain and injustice in the world, this episode offers a path forward, not in politics or performance, but in deep spiritual formation. Alan sits down with transformation life coach and ministry leader Brenda Renderos for a tender, honest conversation at the intersection of soul care and justice, especially racial justice. Drawing from her years of experience walking with individuals toward greater wholeness, Brenda shares how a deeply rooted faith can lead to healing, redemptive engagement with our neighbors. Together, they explore: How inner transformation and outward justice are connected Why justice isn’t about guilt or shame but about love and presence What to do when justice work feels overwhelming or exhausting And how to take one Spirit-led step forward at a time This episode invites you to slow down, listen deeply, and consider how Christ might be forming you for justice that flows from the heart. Brenda’s Invitations to Dig Deeper: The prophets call out religious devotion that ignores justice (Isaiah 58, Amos 5). Jesus admonished the Pharisees for tithing religiously but neglecting 'justice, mercy, and faithfulness' (Matthew 23:23). Is my spiritual life making me more just? And is my work for justice making me more Christlike? What is shaping my view of justice? Am I looking at it through a cultural lens, a political lens, or a biblical lens? A great way to begin is by simply sitting with scripture. Read passages like Isaiah 1:17, Micah 6:8, or Luke 4:18-19, and ask: What does God say about justice? What does this reveal about his heart? What is his invitation for me in this season? What is one small way I can stay engaged this week, even if it feels slow? And trust that even the small things matter in God's bigger story. ______________________________________________________ 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 is the Christian life really about? And what is the church meant to be? These foundational questions often reveal how deeply our assumptions have been shaped by culture more than by Christ. In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling shares a rich conversation with John Mark Comer, originally aired when his book Practicing the Way was newly released. John Mark is a teacher, writer, and founder of Practicing the Way and has spent years exploring what it means to be an apprentice of Jesus in the post-Christian West. Formerly the founding pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland, OR, John Mark now develops spiritual formation resources for churches worldwide. Together, we explore how spiritual disciplines form us not just for today, but for eternal living—and how church communities can reclaim the Way of Jesus in a distracted, fast-paced world. 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 the deep inner work of spiritual formation begins to shape the way we lead others? In this episode, Gem welcomes Ed McManness, General Director of Frontier Ventures, and Matt Fogle, Chief Development Officer at Frontier Ventures, for a rich conversation at the intersection of soul care and leadership. As leaders, it's easy to focus solely on strategy, productivity, and results—but what if transformation into Christlikeness was the foundation of our leadership? Ed and Matt share stories from their own journeys, offer practical wisdom for cultivating healthy organizational cultures, and reflect on how to lead from a place of abiding rather than striving. In this episode, you’ll learn: How spiritual formation can directly impact leadership decisions Practices for fostering presence over pressure in your leadership Rhythms and boundaries that protect leaders from burnout How to shape a spiritually formative organizational culture—even in the face of resistance About Our Guests:Ed McManness is the General Director of Frontier Ventures, a mission organization serving global leaders who bring the gospel to the least reached. His leadership is rooted in decades of experience and a deep commitment to spiritual formation. Matt Fogle serves as Chief Development Officer at Frontier Ventures and is also a Soul Care Guide with Unhurried Living. Matt is passionate about helping leaders thrive through emotionally healthy and spiritually grounded practices. If you're a leader longing to align your inner life with your outer leadership, this episode will speak directly to your journey. ______________________________________________________ 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 the gospel is not just about someday, but about today—right here in the holy ordinary? In this episode, Alan welcomes pastor and author Andrew Arndt to talk about his new book, A Strange and Gracious Light. Rooted in the rhythms of the church calendar, Andrew’s book is an invitation to encounter Jesus afresh—not just as a message we proclaim but as a presence we inhabit. Together, Alan and Andrew explore how disorientation, waiting, and mystery can become sacred spaces for formation. It’s a conversation for those feeling weary, disconnected, or quietly hopeful—offering a fresh way to see your story illuminated by the strange and gracious light of Christ. 3 Takeaways from this Episode: The church calendar can be a gentle guide to reenter the gospel story with fresh eyes and renewed soul connection. Seasons of uncertainty and suffering may be strange—but they are often filled with quiet grace and deeper formation. Leading from a place of surrender, rather than striving, opens the way for a more grounded and grace-filled life of service. About Andrew Arndt:Andrew Arndt is the lead pastor of New Life East in Colorado Springs and host of the Essential Church podcast. A trusted voice for thoughtful Christian leaders, he brings a rich blend of theological depth, pastoral sensitivity, and contemplative wisdom to his writing and leadership. 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.

Have you ever sat in church, said your prayers, and still felt... nothing? Like your faith was stuck in neutral? You’re not alone—and you’re not broken. In this deeply honest episode, Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman shares how his wife’s cancer diagnosis led him into one of the darkest seasons of his life, shaking the very foundations of his faith. But instead of giving up, he discovered something unexpected: God hadn’t left. In fact, Jesus was closer than ever—meeting him not in strength, but in surrender. If your spiritual life feels dry, discouraging, or just plain confusing, this conversation is here to remind you: your struggle is not a sign of failure. It may be an invitation to meet Jesus in a deeper, more personal way than you ever have before. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why spiritual numbness doesn’t mean you’ve failed How to reframe discouragement as sacred invitation Real stories from scripture of people who wrestled with their faith What it means to find “holy ground” in moments of disappointment One simple but powerful practice to reconnect with God right where you are Meet the Guest: Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman is the rector of St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral in Kamloops, British Columbia. He holds a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation and is the author of Alive, Loved & Free: A Spiritual Journey of Coming Home. Kyle is passionate about helping others experience the real, living presence of God—even (and especially) in the midst of life’s deepest struggles. Connect with Kyle: Website: kylenorman.ca Instagram: @revkylenorman Book: Alive, Loved & Free – available wherever books are sold ______________________________________________________ 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.

Faith often becomes a checklist—prayer, scripture study, ministry—rather than a living, breathing relationship with Jesus. In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling speaks with bestselling author and teacher John Eldredge about shifting from a performance-based spiritual life to one rooted in presence, intimacy, and encounter. We talk about how to slow down in a world that values hustle, how to rediscover wonder in the midst of cynicism, and how to create personal rhythms that foster authentic connection with Jesus. If you long to experience Jesus—really—this conversation is for you. John’s latest book, Experience Jesus—Really., invites readers into a deeper awareness of God’s presence and shows how to move from knowing about God to actually knowing Him in relationship. Whether you feel spiritually dry, distracted by life’s pace, or just want to deepen your walk with Christ, this episode offers practical wisdom and hopeful encouragement. Guest Bio: John Eldredge is a bestselling author, counselor, and the president of Wild at Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God and live more fully in His Kingdom. His books, including Wild at Heart, Beautiful Outlaw, and Get Your Life Back, have guided millions toward a more vibrant and personal walk with God. Through his teaching, writing, and podcasting, John invites people to experience God not as a distant figure, but as a present and personal friend. Connect with John Eldredge: 🌐 Website: https://wildatheart.org📘 Book: Experience Jesus—Really. available wherever books are sold🎙️ Podcast: Wild at Heart Podcast📸 Instagram: @wildatheart📺 YouTube: Wild at Heart YouTube Channel 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.

If you’ve been longing for a more humane, hope-filled way to lead—this episode is for you. Dr. Nicole Massie Martin brings years of pastoral and executive wisdom to a deep conversation about what it means to lead from the soul, not the ego. Alan and Nicole explore why so many leaders today feel spiritually empty, and how rediscovering the cross of Christ as a leadership model can bring healing—not just to individuals, but to teams, organizations, and communities. 🎯 Takeaways from this episode: The cost of leading without soul—and how to recover it Why redemptive leadership is possible, even in today’s world What cruciform leadership looks like in practice How to embrace stewardship over scale One practical step you can take today to lead with greater integrity Whether you're leading in ministry, business, education, or at home, this episode offers hope that leadership can be redemptive, relational, and rooted in Jesus. 👤 About Dr. Nicole Massie Martin:Dr. Nicole Massie Martin is the Chief Operating Officer at Christianity Today, the founder of Soulfire International Ministries, and an executive director at American Bible Society. She is a nationally recognized speaker and the author of Made to Lead and Nailing It: Seven Practices for Surrendered Leadership. Nicole holds degrees from Vanderbilt University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is passionate about equipping leaders to bring both soul and strategy to their influence. 🌐 Connect with Nicole: Website: https://nicolemassiemartin.com Instagram: @nicolemassiemartin Twitter/X: @RevDrNicole Book: Nailing It available now wherever books are sold. ______________________________________________________ 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.

Life doesn’t always go according to plan. The map you were following suddenly doesn’t make sense. What once felt solid begins to crack. But what if this unraveling isn’t a detour... what if it’s part of the sacred path? In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Gem and Alan Fadling explore a powerful biblical framework for spiritual transformation—orientation, disorientation, and new orientation—a pattern identified by Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann and lived out in the Psalms, in Christian history, and in our lives today. Whether you're deconstructing your faith, walking through midlife questions, or just feeling lost in a long winter of the soul, this conversation will meet you there—with honesty, hope, and a deeper invitation into God’s presence. 🎧 We talk about: What the Psalms teach us about disorientation How deconstruction and spiritual formation overlap (but aren’t the same) Why lament and complaint are actually forms of faithful prayer How to move forward when nothing makes sense No matter where you find yourself—building, unraveling, or starting fresh—this one’s for you. 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.

In this episode, Tracie Braylock joins Gem Fadling to explore how we can release the stress we were never meant to carry. Stress isn’t just a nuisance—it can quietly erode our peace, health, and capacity to enjoy life. Tracie brings a holistic approach to well-being, weaving together mind, body, spirit, and biblical wisdom to help us relax more intentionally and live more freely. We discuss: Why understanding that you are fearfully and wonderfully made is a foundation for healing How to identify and address the root causes of stress What the “relaxation response” is and how to activate it The 9 Rs of Radical Relaxation and how they apply to power, mind, body, spirit, and relationships Why rest is not laziness, but an essential practice How to realign your spirit and deepen your connection with God This is a gentle but powerful conversation filled with wisdom and grace. If you’ve been feeling the weight of stress in your life, may this episode be a breath of fresh air and an invitation to slow down and reclaim your peace. ✨ Listen in and let go of what was never yours to carry. ✨ 🔗 Learn more about Tracie Braylock📖 Check out her book Radical Relaxation About Tracie:Tracie Braylock is a registered nurse, integrative health practitioner, and wellness educator who helps women and organizations prioritize well-being through holistic care practices. As the author of Radical Relaxation, she combines science, soul, and scripture to guide others toward lasting peace, healing, and wholeness. ______________________________________________________ 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.

Leadership is sacred work—but it can also leave wounds. What happens when unaddressed pain begins to shape the way we lead? And how can healing restore not only our souls but also the communities we serve? In this episode, Alan Fadling is joined by Nicolas Rowe and Sheila Wise-Rowe, authors of Healing Leadership Trauma: Finding Emotional Health and Helping Others Flourish. Together, they offer a wise, grace-filled vision of leadership rooted in wholeness rather than woundedness. This conversation is an invitation—to slow down, to pay attention to your inner life, and to believe that healing is not only possible but essential to healthy, sustainable leadership. 🎧 Topics we explore: What leadership trauma actually is—and why it’s often missed Why expectations can crush leaders, and how to be free of them How unhurried rhythms and reflection can lead to deep healing The surprising strength of vulnerability in leadership How community, not isolation, fosters restoration Practical steps to begin a healing journey today Whether you’re feeling weary, burned out, or just ready to lead from a deeper well, this episode is for you. 🎙️ GUEST BIOS Nicolas Rowe is a professor of leadership, a licensed therapist, and a leadership coach. With a deep understanding of both organizational systems and individual healing, he helps leaders navigate the emotional challenges that come with responsibility and influence. Sheila Wise-Rowe is a trauma counselor, spiritual director, and author of Healing Racial Trauma. She brings decades of experience helping individuals and communities face pain with courage and move toward healing with hope. Together, Nicolas and Sheila are passionate about helping leaders move from merely surviving to truly flourishing. 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.