Episode 95 - Nature and the Care of the Soul with Belden Lane, Part 1

Subscribe to the Podcast and receive email notification when new episodes are released

Or subscribe on your favorite podcast player:

This season is all about Complex Conversations and how these conversations can help us buffet the fierce winds that are blowing in our lives.

SHOW NOTES

Warning: this podcast is not for the faint of heart!

It is not for those who attend church and equate that with the pilgrimage of the 4th century, when those who did not want to be swallowed by culture fled to the desert to not survive, but thrive!

It might undo you as it has undone me.

I talk with Belden Lane about the difference in being a spiritual pilgrim and a spiritual tourist. A tourist is one who sees enough to take a photo proving that they had been there. A pilgrim is one who pays the price of entering the wilderness, only to find themselves and God.

We speak of the dangers of social media where soul care is watered down by selling things, being merely consumers of the spiritual life rather than embracing wilderness. Emptying our self to live empty, broken, and void of ego. We spoke of “the greening of our faith.” Honoring nature as a portal to God the Creator.

It was like sitting with a prophet who was speaking out about the church, who has lost its soul.

Join us in today's conversation!

Special Guest Belden C. Lane

Belden and his dog Joey

Belden C. Lane is a Presbyterian theologian who teaches on a Jesuit faculty at Saint Louis University. His interests include the relationship between geography and faith, wilderness backpacking in the Ozarks, the magic of storytelling, desert spirituality, exposing students to urban poverty through the Catholic Worker community, and the poetry of Rumi. He also works with men, helping to lead initiation rites through Richard Rohr's program for Men as Learners and Elders in Albuquerque.

He lives with his wife Patricia, a spiritual director and retired school teacher, in Saint Louis. Drawn to sacred places around the world, his travels have involved camping in Egypt, Ireland and the Virgin Islands; hiking in Greece, Hawaii, and Australia; and study in England, Israel and Mexico. For six years I served in the pastorate, from a village parish in western New York State to the historic First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. Some time ago he found himself delightfully introduced as a Presbyterian minister teaching at a Roman Catholic university telling Jewish stories at the Vedanta Society.

More about Belden

Belden’s Books:

• The Solace of Fierce Landscapes: Exploring Desert and Mountain Spirituality

• Ravished by Beauty: The Surprising Legacy of Reformed Spirituality

• Backpacking with the Saints: Wilderness Hiking as Spiritual Practice

• The Great Conversation: Nature and the Care of the Soul

Mentioned in podcast

• Richard Rohr quote “from disorder to reorder to new order” - from his book The Wisdom Pattern: Order, Disorder, Reorder.

• Thomas Berry book on the Great Conversation - Befriending the Earth: A Theology of Reconciliation Between Humans and the Earth

• SNEAK PEAK: 30 Days with the Potter Devotional reading - Foundational Love of God (Text)

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 94 - The Evangelical Diaspora: Getting out of our Boxes! Part 2

Subscribe to the Podcast and receive email notification when new episodes are released

Or subscribe on your favorite podcast player:

This season is all about Complex Conversations and how these conversations can help us buffet the fierce winds that are blowing in our lives.

SHOW NOTES

We have Part 2 of The Evangelical Diaspora: Getting Out of our Boxes for you today. And honestly, it’s even deeper than Part 1.

NOTE: We highly recommend you listen to Part 1 first (FIND IT HERE) and then come back to hear the rest of the story in Part 2.

Part 2 continues with Greg and Steve, where Greg shares his story of change and breaking out of boxes that don't fit and beliefs that simply did not work for him any more.

Can you identify? 

This conversation just might become a road map for you to take some steps to deconstruct some boxes--which may be different from Greg's boxes or Steve's boxes but will help you to find the language and love to join in the process of deconstructing boxes you may be finding.

The pandemic, politics, racial stress, and economic challenge have all required new ways of thinking for all of us. No one gets a pass on not feeling like "something is not right...something is not working any more."  We hope this particular podcast will give you something to think about, something to argue with, and some much needed HOPE… plus some courage to take some steps that await you for a new beginning.

Special Guest Greg Farrand

Greg Farrand is the Executive Director at Second Breath Center, a Servant leadership school that focuses on moving beyond mere intellectual understanding of God, faith, and love to actually experiencing them with mind, heart, and body.

Greg attended Reformed Theological Seminary and worked in several unique ministry settings, including as a missionary in Uganda, and in campus ministry. Greg also served as founder and lead pastor of Spring Garden Community Church and as co-director of Selah Spiritual Formation, a nonprofit committed to facilitating spiritual direction and retreats.

Greg spent most of his early life living in Japan and Taiwan. He now lives in Greensboro, NC with his wife Beth, who works as a spiritual director. They have three grown sons. In his free time, Greg enjoys hiking and being in nature.

Mentioned in podcast

• Dallas Willard

• City of God by St. Augustine

• Richard Rohr

• The Five Solas (includes Sola Scripture mentioned in podcast)

• Last Chapter of the Book of Romans

• More of Greg’s Story - My Journey from a Conservative Presbyterian to a Progressive Episcopal Priest

• Second Breath Center

• 30 Days With The Potter Devotional (SNEAK PEAK) - The Place of Becoming (Text only)

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 93 - The Evangelical Diaspora: Getting out of our Boxes! Part 1

Subscribe to the Podcast and receive email notification when new episodes are released

Or subscribe on your favorite podcast player:

This season is all about Complex Conversations and how these conversations can help us buffet the fierce winds that are blowing in our lives.

SHOW NOTES

The Evangelical Diaspora: Getting Out of our Boxes is a raw, honest, and lively discussion between Steve and Greg Ferrand. It is a conversation where Greg shares his story of change and breaking out of boxes that don't fit and beliefs that simply did not work for him any more.

Can you identify?

There are few show notes. But listen well and listen often as this conversation just might become a road map for you to take some steps to deconstruct some boxes--which may be different from Greg's boxes or Steve's boxes but will help you to find the language and love to join in the process of deconstructing boxes you may be finding.

The Pandemic, politics, racial stress, and economic challenge have all required new ways of thinking for all of us. No one gets a pass on not feeling like "something is not right...something is not working any more."  We hope this particular podcast will give you something to think about, something to argue with, and some courage to take some steps that await you for a new beginning.

Special Guest Greg Farrand

Greg Farrand is the Executive Director at Second Breath Center, a Servant leadership school that focuses on moving beyond mere intellectual understanding of God, faith, and love to actually experiencing them with mind, heart, and body.

Greg attended Reformed Theological Seminary and worked in several unique ministry settings, including as a missionary in Uganda, and in campus ministry. Greg also served as founder and lead pastor of Spring Garden Community Church and as co-director of Selah Spiritual Formation, a nonprofit committed to facilitating spiritual direction and retreats.

Greg spent most of his early life living in Japan and Taiwan. He now lives in Greensboro, NC with his wife Beth, who works as a spiritual director. They have three grown sons. In his free time, Greg enjoys hiking and being in nature.

Mentioned in podcast

• More of Greg’s Story - My Journey from a Conservative Presbyterian to a Progressive Episcopal Priest

• Second Breath Center

• 30 Days With The Potter Devotional SNEAK PEAK - The Messy Art of Being Transformed (TEXT from reading in podcast)

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 92 - Where Soul Meets World

Subscribe to the Podcast and receive email notification when new episodes are released

Or subscribe on your favorite podcast player:

SHOW NOTES

Welcome to our sixth season of the Soul Care Conversations Podcast! Steve is anchoring the season with a thoughtful discussion on our theme of Complex Conversations – and how these conversations can help us buffet the fierce winds that are blowing in our lives. It’s all in learning to live with our soul and mind, while trying to find, with each other, foundational places where we can anchor ourselves. It’s a great discussion and introduction to what this season will be about.

Also included is a reading from our new devotional, 365 Days with the Potter, which will be launching this fall with our new Potter’s Inn App!

Mentioned in podcast

• Book - Faith After Doubt: Why Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What to Do About It by Brian McLaren

• Book - Backpacking with the Saints by Belden Lane

• Poem read in podcast - The Landscape is my Innerscape by Stephen W. Smith

• SNEAK PEAK: 30 Days with the Potter Devotional reading - Foundational Love of God

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 90 - A Soul Care Experience

Subscribe to the Podcast and receive email notification when new episodes are released

Or subscribe on your favorite podcast player:

SHOW NOTES

How do you “do” the invisible work of caring for your soul?

The Soul Care Institute was created to do just that -to help you discover what your soul has been longing for.

Kaylene Derksen, the President of the Soul Care Institute (and previous co-host for the podcast!) joins today’s podcast and chats with 3 students who are in the middle of their own journeys. Listen as they describe how they made the decision to join the Soul Care Institute and what they are learning through their journey.

Once you have listened to the podcast, go visit SoulCareInstitute.com to learn more about the Institute and to sign up for Cohort 10!

MENTIONED iN PODCAST

• Soul Care Institute

• Jeremiah 6:16 (MSG) - “…and you will find rest for your soul.”

• Lectio Divina

  • Podcast about Lectio Divina

  • DOWNLOAD the Lectio Divina Guide

• Competitive Edge International

• Retreat Locations

  • St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, nestled in a forest in North Carolina.

  • Geneva Camp and Retreat Center right on the coast of Lake Michigan.

  • The Hideaway Inn with views of Pikes Peak in Colorado. 

• Above All Else (the previous retreat for Potter’s Inn, run by new owners)

• Music in podcast: Sweet Hour of Prayer sung by Sounds Like Reign

  Sweet hour of prayer
  Sweet hour of prayer
  That calls me from a world of care
  And bids me at my Father's throne
  Make all my wants and wishes known
  In seasons of distress and grief
  My soul has often found relief
  And oft escaped the tempter's snare
  By Thy return, sweet hour of prayer

  Sweet hour of prayer
  Sweet hour of prayer
  The joys I feel, the bliss I share
  Of those whose anxious spirits burn
  With strong desires for Thy return
  With such I hasten to the place
  Where God my Savior shows His face
  And gladly take my station there
  And wait for Thee, sweet hour of prayer

  Sweet hour of prayer
  Sweet hour of prayer
  And wait for Thee
  Sweet hour of prayer

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 89 - Exposing the Soul of the Pastor!

Subscribe to the Podcast and receive email notification when new episodes are released

Or subscribe on your favorite podcast player:

SHOW NOTES

The Soul Care Conversation in this episode is "Exposing the Soul of the Pastor!"  We live in a day of tension, frustration, and alienation - and no people group faces the brunt of the discord we navigate more than pastors of the local church.

We've gathered four pastors to have a candid conversation, which will be a portal for us to listen and understand the soul of the pastor in today's environment.

A pastor told me recently that "Pastoring today is like pastoring the United States which is now the fragmented states. We have the Anti-maskers, Pro-Maskers; the Anti this and the Pro that every time we meet. We have Blue people and Red People and every one matters people and I don't give a rip people.”

Imagine what this tension does inside the soul of the pastor! 

Please help us by sharing this podcast with anyone you know who works in and for the local church. Perhaps this Podcast will help a pastor, somewhere, feel not so alone and or alienated. Perhaps these words and voices might give voice to their own inner rumblings.

It's honest and raw - it's clarifying and helpful. 

Take a listen. Pass it around!

Every blessing,

Stephen W. Smith

HOSt & Special Guests

Joe Chambers is today’s host and the pastor of Mountain Heights Baptist Church in Buena Vista, CO. He studied at Oklahoma Baptist University, completed a two-year certification program in Soul Care from the Potter’s Inn Soul Care Institute and Fuller Seminary. Currently an apprentice with Anam Cara in Spiritual Direction. Living with his wife Lynette at the base of Mt. Princeton, Joe is an avid reader and writer, loves to tell stories and spend time in the wilderness.

Zach Bearss is the lead pastor of Clearview Community Church in Buena Vista, Colorado. He is married to Catherine and they have four children: Anna, Isaac, Noah and Joe. Pastor Zach has a passion to lead people into a transforming relationship with Jesus and authentic community with one another so that the light of the gospel can shine through their lives to the world.  

Jason Tippetts is married to Sarah and they live in Buena Vista, Colorado where they try to figure out how to have time together weekly as they raise 5 kids and two dogs. Jason is ordained in the PCA and is planting his second church in Colorado. Favorite hobbies are trying to decide with his wife what we feed the kids for dinner, looking for a quiet place to read in our house, and watching his weather app. Sometimes all at one time. 

Leslie Quilico is a daughter of God, wife to Steve, mother to three, & pastor & friend to many. She is a passionate learner who loves coffee, books, walks, & conversation. Her favorite conversations are with Jesus, & her biggest hope is to be a part of God's kingdom coming to earth on the daily.

Mentioned in Podcast

• A Burning in my Bones by Winn Collier - Eugene Peterson Biography

• The Writing Life by Annie Dillard

• Joe’s Reading of poem Exposed by Sarah Bourns

• Field Notes on the Jesus Way by Joe Chambers

• Music in podcast: When All Falls Silent by Geert D'hollander, sung by The King’s Singers

  When all falls silent,
  And the breath of life
  Flows from the source
  And calms the stormy sea,
  My heart-song,
  Always sung but seldom heard,
  Rises from the mist,
  Calling, calling…

  Then, slowly,
  I turn my gaze,
  Drawn toward beauty
  And the song’s amber light;
  I open my soul,
  And I am at peace,
  I am in harmony,
  Listening, listening.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 88 - The Post-Pandemic Church

SHOW NOTES What will church look like and be like in the post pandemic era? We discuss pastors inner worlds and implications for the new wine that is coming! A stirring, provocative conversation which will rattle and stretch us from these two seasoned veterans who work in the subterranean world of helping church leaders!

Subscribe to the Podcast and receive email notification when new episodes are released

Or subscribe on your favorite podcast player:

SHOW NOTES

What will church look like and be like in the post pandemic era? We discuss pastors inner worlds and implications for the new wine that is coming!

A stirring, provocative conversation which will rattle and stretch us from these two seasoned veterans who work in the subterranean world of helping church leaders!

Meet Special Guest Dr. Chuck DeGroat

Chuck is Professor of Counseling and Christian Spirituality at Western Theological Seminary Holland MI, and Co-Founder and a Senior Fellow at Newbigin House of Studies, San Francisco. He is a licensed therapist, author, retreat leader, and spiritual director. Chuck has been married to Sara for 25 years, and has two daughters.

Chuck  has spent the last 20+ years in a dynamic combination of pastoral ministry, seminary teaching, and clinical counseling.  His books are practical and pastoral, meeting readers at the intersection of our spiritual journeys and the very real struggles we experience.

• Chuck’s Website

• Chuck on Twitter

• Chuck’s Books

• Listen to Chuck’s previous podcast episode “Distinctives of Soul Care: A Counselors Point Of View”

Mentioned in Podcast

• Matthew 9:14-17 (NIV) - Jesus mentioning wine and wine skins

• Hebrews 12 (MSG) - Endurance

• Chuck’s Latest book “When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community From Emotional and Spiritual Abuse”

  Mentioned by Chuck

  • Scott McKnight

    • About Scott McKnight

    • New Book about the church - “A Church Called TOV: Forming a Goodness Culture that Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing”

  • Diane Landberg, Ph.D.

    • About Diane Landbert

    • New Book about the church - “Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church” 

  • Wade Mullen

    • About Wade Mullen

    • New Book about the church - “Something's Not Right: Decoding the Hidden Tactics of Abuse--and Freeing Yourself from Its Power”

  Mentioned by Steve

  • Julia Cameron’s book “The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity”

  • Pray as You Go app

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 87 - The Trap of Money, Sex, and Power - Part 2

"No issues touch us more profoundly or more universally. No themes are more inseparably intertwined. No topics caused more controversy. No human realities have greater power to bless or to curse. No three things have been sought after or more in need of a Christian response: money, sex, and power.

Subscribe to the Podcast and receive email notification when new episodes are released

Or subscribe on your favorite podcast player:

SHOW NOTES

“No issues touch us more profoundly or more universally. No themes are more inseparably intertwined. No topics caused more controversy. No human realities have greater power to bless or to curse. No three things have been sought after or more in need of a Christian response: money, sex, and power.”

— Richard Foster, from Challenge of the Disciplined Life: Money, Sex, and Power

We are continuing the conversation today with Steve and Special guest Hayne Steen - “The Trap of Money, Sex, and Power, Part 2”

Meet Special Guest Hayne Steen, MAMFT, LMHC

Hayne grew up on the north Florida coast and met his wife at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida where they were both students and Young Life leaders. Since 1992 they have been serving together in full time ministry with Young Life and the local church all over the southeast.

Hayne worked in private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist for six years while co-directing The SoulCare Project, serving as the Director of Counseling and Care. In 2017, he started his own practice, Elbow Tree Christian Counseling, LLC.

Hayne is a Flagler Alumnus (‘95) and did his graduate work at Richmont Graduate University (‘11). He lives in Saint Augustine, FL with his wife, three children, and one grandchild.

Contact Info for Hayne at Elbow Tree Christian Counseling:

• Website | www.elbowtreeflorida.com

• Office | 904.559.1944     

• Email | turnhere@elbowtreeflorida.com

Mentioned in Podcast

• Proverbs 11:14 (NIV)

• Proverbs 12:15 (NIV)

• Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)

• Family of Origin exercise - 6 questions:

  • What were the negative characteristics that you experienced in your caregiver (In the growing up years when you were just being formed)? Whether that was a mom, dad, or a grandparent that was charged with your care.

  • What were the positive characteristics that you experienced in that caregiver?

  • What were the unmet needs that went unmet. Like, what were the needs that you had, like physical, emotional, spiritual, that just did not get met?

  • What were the words that never were said, that needed to have been said over you that you long to hear?

  • When we think back on positive experiences in your family: vacations weekends, special birthdays, holidays--positive experiences in the family, what were the warm emotions that you felt in that season?

  • When things were not going well in the family; when things were blowing up; when things were breaking down—How did you cope? Where would we find you? What did you do?

• Challenge of the Disciplined Life: Money, Sex, and Power by Richard Foster 

• READING: Excerpt from In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen - [READ]

SOLO: Creating Space with God

by Stephen W. Smith and Peter Ivey

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 86 - The Trap of Money, Sex, and Power - Part 1

SHOW NOTES "No issues touch us more profoundly or more universally. No themes are more inseparably intertwined. No topics caused more controversy. No human realities have greater power to bless or to curse. No three things have been sought after or more in need of a Christian response: money, sex, and power."

Subscribe to the Podcast and receive email notification when new episodes are released

Or subscribe on your favorite podcast player:

SHOW NOTES

“No issues touch us more profoundly or more universally. No themes are more inseparably intertwined. No topics caused more controversy. No human realities have greater power to bless or to curse. No three things have been sought after or more in need of a Christian response: money, sex, and power.”

— Richard Foster, from Challenge of the Disciplined Life: Money, Sex, and Power

This quote from Richard Foster is the perfect introduction to today’s podcast. Join Steve and Special guest Hayne Steen on today’s new podcast “The Trap of Money, Sex, and Power.”

Meet Special Guest Hayne Steen, MAMFT, LMHC

Hayne grew up on the north Florida coast and met his wife at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida where they were both students and Young Life leaders. Since 1992 they have been serving together in full time ministry with Young Life and the local church all over the southeast.

Hayne worked in private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist for six years while co-directing The SoulCare Project, serving as the Director of Counseling and Care. In 2017, he started his own practice, Elbow Tree Christian Counseling, LLC.

Hayne is a Flagler Alumnus (‘95) and did his graduate work at Richmont Graduate University (‘11). He lives in Saint Augustine, FL with his wife, three children, and one grandchild.

Mentioned in Podcast

• Challenge of the Disciplined Life: Money, Sex, and Power by Richard Foster 

• Family of Origin exercise - 6 questions:

  • That in the growing up years when you were just being formed, what were the negative characteristics that you experienced in your caregiver? Whether that was a mom, dad, or a grandparent that was charged with your care.

  • What were the positive characteristics that you experienced in that caregiver?

  • What were the unmet needs that went unmet. Like, what were the needs that you had, like physical, emotional, spiritual, that just did not get met?

  • What were the words that never were said, that needed to have been said over you that you long to hear?

  • When we think back on positive experiences in your family: vacations weekends, special birthdays, holidays--positive experiences in the family, what were the warm emotions that you felt in that season?

  • When things were not going well in the family; when things were blowing up; when things were breaking down—How did you cope? Where would we find you? What did you do?

• Ephesians 1:3 (MSG)

• Brene Brown - The Daring Way

• “A Prayer for the Church” by Rev. Emily Swan reading - words to meditate and pray on

  • From the book “Rhythm of Prayer” by Sarah Bessey

• O Ignis Spiritus (Music) - Lyrics translated to English

SOLO: Creating Space with God

by Stephen W. Smith and Peter Ivey

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 85 - The Soul of Sex

SHOW NOTES Dear Friends, This podcast is about "The Soul of Sex."  This is an honest, vulnerable, and transparent conversation. I talk with Jim Cress, a licensed professional and trained counselor who specializes in the soul of sex. PLEASE NOTE: This is a conversation you need to exercise wisdom with in terms of who listens to this.

Subscribe to the Podcast and receive email notification when new episodes are released

Or subscribe on your favorite podcast player:

SHOW NOTES

Dear Friends,

This podcast is about “The Soul of Sex.”  This is an honest, vulnerable, and transparent conversation. I talk with Jim Cress, a licensed professional and trained counselor who specializes in the soul of sex.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a conversation you need to exercise wisdom with in terms of who listens to this. It’s a mature conversation not intended for children.

But it is a conversation to enter with your friends and spouse.

When we say “where soul meets the world” in this podcast, this is a particular conversation we need to find the light and way forward.

Blessings as you listen!

Stephen W. Smith

Meet Special Guest Jim Cress

Jim is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, Certified Multiple Addictions Therapist, and a Certified Daring Way Facilitator with Dr. Brene’ Brown’s The Daring Way Organization. For three years, he studied with and was trained by Dr. Patrick Carnes, the founder of the sex addiction field. Jim specializes in counseling those struggling with sex addiction, partners of sex addicts, marital counseling, trauma, abuse, and experiential group therapy.

Jim is in private practice in Matthews, NC, and is a group leader for Onsite Workshops near Nashville, TN. He led sexual addiction workshops for Bethesda Workshops in Nashville for six years. Jim is also a national conference speaker with The American Association of Christian Counselors. He leads regular weekly men’s therapy groups, and speaks at churches in the Charlotte, North Carolina area.

As a 34 year veteran broadcaster and radio talk show host, Jim formerly hosted and cohosted the national call-in talk shows, “The Minirth-Meier Clinic”, “Turn It Around” with the American Association of Christian Counselors, and “Hope in the Night” with June Hunt. Jim is currently the host of his own radio program called, “Conversations of Life”.

Jim has been married to his wife Jessica since 1985, and has two adult sons, an adult daughter, and daughter-in-law. Jim and Jessica are also proud grandparents to Lincoln and Paxton.

Jim’s Website

Resources Suggested by Steve and Jim

Steve’s suggestions

• Challenge of the Disciplined Life: Money, Sex, and Power by Richard Foster 

• The Transformation of a Man's Heart - Chapter by John Pierce called Learning to Tell Your Sexual Story.

  • On Potter's Inn

  • On Amazon

Jim’s Suggestions

• Surfing for God by Michael Cusack

• Intimate Deception by Dr. Sheri Keffer

Mentioned in Podcast

• The Daring Way Organization & Dr. Brené Brown

• 3000 Questions to Ask of Me

• Genesis 2

• Genesis 3

• Hebrews 13:4

• 1st Corinthians 7

• Ephesians 5

• Jeremiah 2:13

• Acts 1:8

SOLO: Creating Space with God

by Stephen W. Smith and Peter Ivey

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 83- Deconstructing Faith with Sarah Bessey, Part 2

SHOW NOTES This week, Steve continues his conversation with Sarah Bessey, taking a deeper look into some of the issues they raised last week. Sit back and enjoy - it's a great conversation between two lovely people.

Subscribe to the Podcast and receive email notification when new episodes are released

Or subscribe on your favorite podcast player:

SHOW NOTES

This week, Steve continues his conversation with Sarah Bessey, taking a deeper look into some of the issues they raised last week.

Sit back and enjoy - it’s a great conversation between two lovely people.

Special Guest Sarah Bessey

Sarah Bessey is the author of the best-selling and critically acclaimed books Jesus Feminist (2013); Out of Sorts: Making Peace with an Evolving Faith (2015); and Miracles and Other Reasonable Things (2019). 

Her new collaborative book, the New York Times bestselling A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Meditations for Renewal is now available everywhere books are sold.

Along with her friends, the late Rachel Held Evans and Jim Chaffee, Sarah co-founded Evolving Faith. She now co-leads the community and conference alongside Jeff Chu. Sarah is also the co-host of The Evolving Faith Podcast which debuted at the top of the charts for Religion and Spirituality Podcasts.

Sarah was born and raised in the prairies and foothills of western Canada. Now living in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada (on the traditional land of the Stó:lō) home, Sarah and her husband of twenty years have four children ranging in age from high school to kindergarten.

Get to know Sarah at SarahBessey.com.

Sarah’s Books mentioned in the podcast:

• Her new book: A Rhythm of Prayer

• Miracles and Other Reasonable Things

• Jesus Feminist

• Making Peace with an Evolving Faith

• All of Sarah’s books

Also Mentioned in Podcast

• Evolving Faith - Ministry founded by Sarah

• SOLO: Creating Space with God by Stephen W. Smith and Peter Ivey

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 82- Deconstructing Faith with Sarah Bessey, Part 1

SHOW NOTES This week Steve has a two part conversation with best selling author, Sarah Bessey. Sarah's work is well known in some circles of faith while she is still unknown to many in various circles.  Steve and Sarah sat down for a moving, faith probing conversation about all things real; all things spiritual; all things you'll want to hear!

Subscribe to the Podcast and receive email notification when new episodes are released

Or subscribe on your favorite podcast player:

SHOW NOTES

This week Steve has a two part conversation with best selling author, Sarah Bessey. Sarah's work is well known in some circles of faith while she is still unknown to many in various circles.  Steve and Sarah sat down for a moving, faith probing conversation about all things real; all things spiritual; all things you'll want to hear!

Her brand new book, The Rhythm of Prayer is one that we discuss. It's really a compilation of the prayers of many people who pray and the book is moving and organized in three parts which is the focus of the conversation.

 We've divided this into 2 parts so listen in, relax, and soak it in.

Special Guest Sarah Bessey

Sarah Bessey is the author of the best-selling and critically acclaimed books Jesus Feminist (2013); Out of Sorts: Making Peace with an Evolving Faith (2015); and Miracles and Other Reasonable Things (2019). 

Her new collaborative book, the New York Times bestselling A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Meditations for Renewal is now available everywhere books are sold.

Along with her friends, the late Rachel Held Evans and Jim Chaffee, Sarah co-founded Evolving Faith. She now co-leads the community and conference alongside Jeff Chu. Sarah is also the co-host of The Evolving Faith Podcast which debuted at the top of the charts for Religion and Spirituality Podcasts.

Sarah was born and raised in the prairies and foothills of western Canada. Now living in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada (on the traditional land of the Stó:lō) home, Sarah and her husband of twenty years have four children ranging in age from high school to kindergarten.

Get to know Sarah at SarahBessey.com.

Sarah’s Books mentioned in the podcast:

• Her new book: A Rhythm of Prayer

• Miracles and Other Reasonable Things

• Jesus Feminist

• Making Peace with an Evolving Faith

• All of Sarah’s books

Also Mentioned in Podcast

• The Making of Dallas Willard

• Found by Rev. Emmy Kegler

• Evolving Faith - Ministry founded by Sarah

• SOLO: Creating Space with God by Stephen W. Smith and Peter Ivey

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!