321: You Are Not a Machine

Do you ever feel like you’re caught in an endless cycle of production, performance, and pressure to keep going as if you’re a machine? Here’s the truth: you’re not a machine—you’re a beloved son or daughter of God, designed with rhythms, limits, and an invitation to rest as well as work. In this ep…

320: Living the Fruit of the Spirit

In this episode, we reflect on the idea of "vibe"—the way our presence leaves an impression on others. A recent discovery in Petra, Jordan, along with memories of joyful Bedouins and the hospitality of Father Albert Haase, inspired us to consider how our interactions reflect who we are at our core.…

319: Why Community Is Key to Navigating Suffering (Curt Thompson, MD)

In this transformative conversation, Dr. Curt Thompson, psychiatrist and author of The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope, joins us to explore the neuroscience of suffering and the profound ways connection can heal. Drawing from his expertise in interpersonal neurobiology, Curt shar…

318: Engaging with God in a Technology Saturated World (Carlos Whitaker)

In today’s episode, Gem sits down with author, speaker, and podcaster Carlos Whitaker to discuss his new book Reconnected. After realizing the toll technology had taken on his connection with God, his community, and even himself, Carlos took radical steps to disconnect in order to reconnect. He spe…

317: Love Makes Us Real

What if love was the truest measure of who we are—not our achievements or titles, but the way we love and are loved? In today’s episode, we’re diving into this profound question through the lens of Thomas Merton, a contemplative writer whose reflections on love invite us into a deeper understanding…

316: Finding Contentment Right Where You Are

In this episode, we’re tackling the problem of restless dissatisfaction and how the pursuit of contentment can offer a way forward. For many of us, there’s an underlying sense that something in life—who we are, what we have, or where we’re headed—should be different. The constant pull of “what if” …

315: Lighting the Path to Flourishing w/Mindy Caliguire

The problem of burnout among Christian leaders has become an epidemic in recent years. I’ve seen Christian leaders taking emergency sabbaticals more often than at any other point in my 40 years of ministry. The souls of many Christian leaders are in trouble. How do you care for your soul? How would…

314: Embracing Your Journey to Belonging with Cameron Lee Small

Adoption is often framed by happy narratives, but the reality is that many adoptees struggle with unaddressed trauma and issues of identity and belonging. Adoptees often spend the majority of their youth without the language to explore the grief related to adoption or the permission to legitimize t…

313: A Journey from Head Knowledge to Heart Connection (Alan on Thomas Merton)

Thirty years ago, I was visiting one of my very favorite sorts of places—a bookstore. It was a Barnes & Noble in Pasadena, California, and I was browsing through the Faith section of books. There I saw a book by an author I’d heard of but never read. The author was Thomas Merton, and the title was …

312: Why Your Worth Isn't Tied to Your Productivity

“Your identity is a gift to be received, not a paycheck to be earned.” I love this profound insight that echoes throughout Alan’s writings. They resonate with a truth we often overlook. They capture the essence of grace—a grace that defines our existence not by what we achieve, but by who we are as…