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 surre...
Jun 23, 2025•48 min•Ep. 348
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 tha...
Jun 16, 2025•49 min•Ep. 347
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: ...
Jun 09, 2025•56 min•Ep. 346
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...
Jun 02, 2025•56 min•Ep. 345
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...
May 26, 2025•36 min•Ep. 344
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 conversati...
May 19, 2025•50 min•Ep. 343
What if your self-doubt, overreactions, or stuck-ness aren’t the real you? What if freedom is simply a matter of coming home to yourself? Welcome to the Unhurried Living Podcast with Gem Fadling—where we help you rest deeper, live fuller, and lead better. In this episode, Gem is joined by Michelle Chalfant , therapist, coach, and creator of The Adult Chair model, a framework that blends psychology and spirituality to help you understand your inner world and live from your truest self. Together, ...
May 12, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 342
Have you ever stood at the edge of the ocean and been struck by its vastness—its depth? That sense of something greater calling to us? Today, Alan Fadling invites us into a reflection on the spiritual hunger so many of us carry: a longing not just to know about God, but to be deeply rooted in God. In this episode, Alan explores what it means to cultivate a life of soul-depth, spiritual depth, and heart depth. Drawing from his book An Unhurried Life , the writings of J.I. Packer and Hans Urs von ...
May 05, 2025•14 min•Ep. 341
Have you ever found yourself grasping for a quick fix—work, food, social media, or endless productivity—to ease the discomfort of life? What if true healing and freedom don't come from trying harder, but from surrendering more deeply? In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, host Gem Fadling sits down with Ian Morgan Cron —bestselling author, psychotherapist, Enneagram teacher, and Episcopal priest—to talk about his new book, The Fix . This fresh and deeply personal exploration of the Tw...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 340
Have you ever felt the ache of unmet expectations in your relationship with God? Does the faith you imagined seem different from the reality you’re living? In this episode, I sit down with Steve Cuss, author of The Expectation Gap , to explore the space between what we believe about God and how we experience Him in our everyday lives. Steve invites us to dive into the gaps that often hold our assumptions, fears, and doubts—and shows us how transformation can happen right there. Through our conve...
Apr 21, 2025•38 min•Ep. 339
In this episode, Gem visits with Dr. Alison Cook, a renowned expert at the intersection of faith and psychology, to discuss her groundbreaking 3-step process for finding the freedom we crave. Many of us struggle with complex emotions and feelings that seem impossible to untangle. Instead of addressing these emotions with care, we often fall into the trap of guilt-tripping or gaslighting ourselves. Dr. Cook shares a powerful approach to breaking this cycle—offering practical tools and insight for...
Apr 14, 2025•49 min•Ep. 338
Anxiety has a way of driving us—pushing us into constant busyness and keeping us stuck in worry about the future. But living in a non-anxious way isn’t about ignoring our problems—it’s about trusting a deeper reality that surrounds us. In this episode, we reflect on the journey with anxiety and how Jesus' words in Matthew 6 continue to shape our understanding of peace. Together, we’ll explore: 🌱 The difference between wise preparation and anxious striving 🌱 How to break free from worry about t...
Apr 07, 2025•14 min•Ep. 337
Do you have someone in your life who helps you discern the GOs and STOPs along your journey? In this episode, Gem reflects on the powerful role of wise guides—whether a spiritual director, life coach, or mentor—and how they can offer a wider perspective and discernment that’s hard to achieve on our own. She explores the benefits of verbalizing struggles and desires, helping bring healing and wholeness. Gem also dives into the importance of having trusted relationships, like a spiritual friend, t...
Mar 31, 2025•8 min•Ep. 336
God’s will isn’t a code to crack—it’s a friendship to cultivate. How do we discern God’s will in our lives? Is it about finding a hidden answer, or is it something deeper—a way of life shaped by attentiveness, trust, and friendship with God? In this episode, Alan sits down with seasoned spiritual director and author Trevor Hudson to talk about his latest book, "In Search of God’s Will: Discerning a Life of Faithfulness and Purpose". With over 50 years of experience as a pastor and spiritual guid...
Mar 24, 2025•31 min•Ep. 335
What do you really need? And what would it look like to engage life with a deeper sense of agency and self-compassion? Today on Unhurried Living Podcast, Gem is joined by professional counselor and best-selling author Aundi Kolber, whose new book, Take What You Need: Soft Words for Hard Days , invites us to embrace the transformative power of kindness toward ourselves. We’ll explore how early experiences shape the way we suppress our needs, why it’s so hard to name and honor what we truly feel, ...
Mar 17, 2025•41 min•Ep. 334
What do you do when your prayer feels dry? When it feels like you're just saying words into the air, wondering if you're actually connecting with God? In this episode, we’ll explore this common struggle, drawing from Thomas Green’s When the Well Runs Dry to uncover how prayer can move beyond effort and become more about encounter. What You’ll Learn: Prayer is a Relationship: Discover how prayer deepens when it becomes less about what you do and more about what God does in you. Our Image of God i...
Mar 10, 2025•18 min•Ep. 333
In this episode, Gem reflects on a powerful moment from a difficult season in her life when she found hope in a simple yet profound image: a long, dark tunnel with a pinhole of light in the distance. This light became a symbol of God's presence, reminding her that even in the darkest moments, His light is enough to guide us forward. She explores the invitation from Psalm 27:4 to dwell, gaze, and seek God, unpacking each of these spiritual practices and how they bring us closer to Him. Through re...
Mar 03, 2025•9 min•Ep. 332
In this episode, Alan talks with Steven Lawson, creator of the Monk Manual, a daily planner inspired by monastic wisdom. Together, they explore how we can live with more purpose, productivity, and presence, moving beyond the chaos of busyness to truly engage each moment. Steven shares how we can align our daily actions with our values, creating a life that is more intentional and deeply fulfilling. Rather than rushing through our days, he emphasizes that slowing down can lead to deeper productiv...
Feb 24, 2025•35 min•Ep. 331
"We do Kingdom things in Empire ways. What might it mean to do Kingdom things in Kingdom ways?" Mandy Smith poses this powerful question, inviting us to reimagine Christian leadership—not as coercion or burnout, but as a life deeply rooted in the ways of Jesus. In this episode, we explore why so many Christian leaders are exhausted, losing faith, or misusing power, and how confessing our limitations might be the key to rediscovering the true heart of ministry. Mandy, a pastor and author, doesn’t...
Feb 17, 2025•47 min•Ep. 330
What is the Christian life really about? Is it prayer, church involvement, ministry, justice, or evangelism? These are all meaningful aspects, but is there something deeper at the heart of it all? In this episode, I reflect on a question my mentor, Chuck Miller, often asked: “What is the Christian life?” His answer offers a profound simplicity—one that shifts our focus from what we do to who we are with. Together, we’ll explore how Jesus as our Good Shepherd transforms our faith from a list of t...
Feb 10, 2025•13 min•Ep. 329
Have you ever found yourself in a dark, overwhelming season, wondering if God could hear you? We explore the healing power of lament as a way to express grief, open to God’s presence, and find rest for your soul. Lament isn't about having all the answers; it’s about allowing space for God to meet you where you are. What to Expect as you Listen: How lament can deepen your connection with God during times of grief. Practical steps to process loss through honesty, community, and restorative practic...
Feb 03, 2025•10 min•Ep. 328
Who is the Holy Spirit to you—an intimate friend or a mysterious stranger? In this episode, Alan Fadling speaks with Tyler Staton, lead pastor of Bridgetown Church and author of The Familiar Stranger , about rediscovering the Holy Spirit and stepping into a more experiential, Spirit-led life. Tyler shares practical insights and biblical metaphors that invite us into deeper intimacy with the Spirit and a greater awareness of His presence and power. In this episode, you’ll hear about: How the Holy...
Jan 27, 2025•33 min•Ep. 327
We’re thrilled to share a powerful episode from Rachel Wojo’s Untangling Prayers Podcast on Unhurried Living ! In this episode, Rachel addresses the common struggle of staying focused in prayer and finding clarity when life feels uncertain. In Untangling Prayers Rachel provides practical tools for overcoming distractions in prayer and trusting God’s timing when you need fresh direction. If you’ve ever felt unsure of the next steps in your life, this episode offers invaluable wisdom to help you l...
Jan 23, 2025•11 min
What if the key to spiritual growth isn’t rushing to answers but learning to ask deeper, slower, and more transformational questions? In this episode, we explore how formational questions can shape your journey with God. You’ll hear examples of questions that unlock insight, guidance on crafting your own soulful questions, and encouragement to hold these questions as prayers in your heart. Be patient. Live the questions now. And trust that, in time, the answers will come. Join Gem and Brenda as ...
Jan 20, 2025•52 min•Ep. 326
What does it mean to truly abide in God? How do we move beyond merely knowing about God to experiencing deep communion with Him? In this episode, I sit down with Michael John Cusick, author of Sacred Attachment , to explore the life-changing power of living in loving connection with God. Michael, a licensed professional counselor, spiritual director, and founder of Restoring the Soul, shares how our core needs—being seen, soothed, safe, and secure—are met in Christ. We also discuss the barriers ...
Jan 13, 2025•51 min•Ep. 325
Crafting a rhythm of life isn’t just about adding more to your schedule—it’s about making intentional choices that shape who you’re becoming. Inspired by Ruth Haley Barton’s question, “How do I want to live so I can be who I want to be?” this episode explores the beauty of setting limits as a doorway to creativity, discernment, and rest. We’ll discuss how a rhythm of life can act like a trellis, supporting your growth and flourishing. With insights from spiritual writers like Margaret Guenther a...
Jan 06, 2025•8 min•Ep. 324
In this episode, Alan dives into the surprisingly freeing good news that we aren’t in charge. Letting go of control doesn’t mean losing—it can lead to gaining a life rich with trust, peace, and joy. In a world that glorifies busyness and self-reliance, we often find ourselves weighed down by burdens we weren’t meant to carry. What if surrender isn’t a sign of weakness, but a doorway to abundance? Join Alan as he explores how releasing control opens us to the gift of trust and a more peaceful, jo...
Dec 30, 2024•17 min•Ep. 323
In this episode, Gem sits down with author Whitney Lowe to discuss her book, Set Your Eyes Higher . Whitney offers a 40-day reset designed to help you let go of what’s not serving you, honor your limitations, and turn your gaze toward a God who loves you. She dives into the cultural pressures that skew our focus, and how to find peace and rest when life feels out of control. Whitney shares wisdom on how to navigate the dynamics of insecurity, anxiety, burnout, and scarcity—issues that many of us...
Dec 23, 2024•51 min•Ep. 322
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 episode, we unpack what it means to live as God intended—rooted, unhurried, and attuned to the gift of being human. Highlights from today’s conversation include: Embracing the Gift of Limits : Why honori...
Dec 16, 2024•21 min
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. Whether bubbly or reserved, introverted or extroverted, each of us exudes something that others feel when they encounter us. What if, at our best, that "vibe" could mirror the Fruit of the Spirit—love...
Dec 09, 2024•8 min•Ep. 320
