In this episode, Gem welcomes Susan Carson for a rich conversation at the intersection of contemplative spirituality, trauma healing, neuroscience, and the Christian mystical tradition.

 

Drawing from the wisdom of Julian of Norwich and insights from interpersonal neurobiology, Susan explores how healing often happens not through striving, fixing, or formulas, but through safe connection, compassionate presence, and co-suffering love.

 

Together they discuss what trauma really is, why the past can continue to shape our present experience, and how healing invites us back toward our true selves. Susan also explains concepts like co-regulation, the nervous system's need for safety, and why being deeply seen and lovingly witnessed can be profoundly restorative.

 

Along the way, they explore contemplative practices of beholding, the self-emptying love of Christ, and what it means to create "noise-free, shame-free, formula-free" spaces where healing can flourish.

 

If you've ever felt exhausted by quick fixes, discouraged by spiritual formulas, or longed for a deeper experience of God's presence in your healing journey, this conversation offers a hopeful and grace-filled vision of wholeness.

 

In this episode you'll learn:
What trauma is and how it shapes our experience of life
Why safety is essential for healing and transformation
The role of co-regulation in emotional and spiritual health
What Julian of Norwich teaches us about God's presence
Why beholding is central to contemplative healing
How neuroscience and spiritual formation complement one another
What it means to create noise-free, shame-free, formula-free space for others

 

Guest:Susan Carson is the Founder and Executive Director of Roots & Branches, spiritual director, speaker, and author of A Kenotic Way of Contemplative Healing.

Resources Mentioned:
A Kenotic Way of Contemplative Healing by Susan Carson
Julian of Norwich
Stephen Porges
Bonnie Badenoch

______________________________________

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

In this episode, Gem welcomes Susan Carson for a rich conversation at the intersection of contemplative spirituality, trauma healing, neuroscience, and the Christian mystical tradition.
&nbsp;
Drawing from the wisdom of Julian of Norwich and insights from interpersonal neurobiology, Susan explores how healing often happens not through striving, fixing, or formulas, but through safe connection, compassionate presence, and co-suffering love.
&nbsp;
Together they discuss what trauma really is, why the past can continue to shape our present experience, and how healing invites us back toward our true selves. Susan also explains concepts like co-regulation, the nervous system's need for safety, and why being deeply seen and lovingly witnessed can be profoundly restorative.
&nbsp;
Along the way, they explore contemplative practices of beholding, the self-emptying love of Christ, and what it means to create "noise-free, shame-free, formula-free" spaces where healing can flourish.
&nbsp;
If you've ever felt exhausted by quick fixes, discouraged by spiritual formulas, or longed for a deeper experience of God's presence in your healing journey, this conversation offers a hopeful and grace-filled vision of wholeness.
&nbsp;
In this episode you'll learn:
<ul>
<li>What trauma is and how it shapes our experience of life</li>
<li>Why safety is essential for healing and transformation</li>
<li>The role of co-regulation in emotional and spiritual health</li>
<li>What Julian of Norwich teaches us about God's presence</li>
<li>Why beholding is central to contemplative healing</li>
<li>How neuroscience and spiritual formation complement one another</li>
<li>What it means to create noise-free, shame-free, formula-free space for others</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Guest: <a href="https://www.susancarson.net/">Susan Carson</a> is the&nbsp;Founder and Executive Director of Roots &amp; Branches, spiritual director, speaker, and author of A Kenotic Way of Contemplative Healing.
Resources Mentioned:
<ul>
<li>A Kenotic Way of Contemplative Healing by Susan Carson</li>
<li>Julian of Norwich</li>
<li>Stephen Porges</li>
<li>Bonnie Badenoch</li>
</ul>
______________________________________
Connect with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gemfadling/">Gem on Instagram</a> and learn more on the <a href="https://dashboard.simplecast.com/accounts/c807b8df-15a1-423a-8649-9db69f7aa374/shows/2a294677-14cc-4597-8409-8efcedfed2cd/episodes/1ff79710-f260-475a-8a39-22315b98892e/www.unhurriedliving.com/gem">Unhurried Living website</a> and her new book, <a href="https://dashboard.simplecast.com/accounts/c807b8df-15a1-423a-8649-9db69f7aa374/shows/2a294677-14cc-4597-8409-8efcedfed2cd/episodes/c6bd1beb-251f-42f0-92ea-21c6790a5380/www.unhurriedliving.com/holdthatthought">Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads</a>
Learn about <a href="https://www.unhurriedliving.com/pace">PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care</a>

Many of us feel hurried, and hurry is costing us more than we realize. The Unhurried Living Podcast with Alan and Gem Fadling provides resources and training to help Christian leaders learn to live and lead from fullness rather than on empty. Great influence begins on the inside, in your soul. Learning healthy patterns of rest and work can transform your life—your daily influence. Built on more than twenty-five years of experience at the intersection of spiritual formation and leadership development, Unhurried Living seeks to inspire people around the world to rest deeper so they can live fuller and lead better.

If this podcast helps you be an unhurried leader, be sure to check out our website https://www.unhurriedliving.com/, where we have books, resources, and featured membership communities so you can learn with fellow leaders how to lead from abundance instead of lack.

Many of us feel hurried, and hurry is costing us more than we realize. The Unhurried Living Podcast with Alan and Gem Fadling provides resources and training to help Christian leaders learn to live and lead from fullness rather than on empty. Great influence begins on the inside, in your soul. Learning healthy patterns of rest and work can transform your life—your daily influence. Built on more than twenty-five years of experience at the intersection of spiritual formation and leadership development, Unhurried Living seeks to inspire people around the world to rest deeper so they can live fuller and lead better.
If this podcast helps you be an unhurried leader, be sure to check out our website <a href="https://www.unhurriedliving.com/">https://www.unhurriedliving.com/</a>, where we have books, resources, and featured membership communities so you can learn with fellow leaders how to lead from abundance instead of lack.

Unhurried Living | Helping Christians Rest Deeper & Lead Better

Many of us feel hurried, and hurry is costing us more than we realize. The Unhurried Living Podcast with Alan and Gem Fadling provides resources and training to help Christian leaders learn to live and lead from fullness rather than on empty. Great influence begins on the inside, in your soul. Learning healthy patterns of rest and work can transform your life—your daily influence as well as your leadership. Built on more than twenty-five years of experience at the intersection of spiritual formation and leadership development, Unhurried Living seeks to inspire people around the world to rest deeper so they can live fuller and lead better.

If this podcast helps you be an unhurried leader, be sure to check out our website https://www.unhurriedliving.com/, where we have books, resources, and featured membership communities so you can learn with fellow Christian leaders how to lead from abundance instead of lack.

Many of us feel hurried, and hurry is costing us more than we realize. The Unhurried Living Podcast with Alan and Gem Fadling provides resources and training to help Christian leaders learn to live and lead from fullness rather than on empty. Great influence begins on the inside, in your soul. Learning healthy patterns of rest and work can transform your life—your daily influence as well as your leadership. Built on more than twenty-five years of experience at the intersection of spiritual formation and leadership development, Unhurried Living seeks to inspire people around the world to rest deeper so they can live fuller and lead better.
If this podcast helps you be an unhurried leader, be sure to check out our website <a href="https://www.unhurriedliving.com/">https://www.unhurriedliving.com/</a>, where we have books, resources, and featured membership communities so you can learn with fellow Christian leaders how to lead from abundance instead of lack.

Seen, Held, and Loved: The Healing Presence of God and Others (Susan Carson)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/6932967e-e700-498b-b3dc-b4950135dc59/transcript