In our season one finale episode, we continue our conversation with Dr. Beth about her doctoral work in spiritual listening, and dig into questions like: How do power and privilege affect spiritual listening? Is spiritual listening appropriate in all situations? How can we learn more about spiritual listening? Resources: The People Who See Webpage Free Spiritual Disciples Handbook (PDF) Music citation Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/your-own-world License code...
May 06, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Today we have the delight of interviewing our very own Dr. Beth - cofounder of People Who See - about her doctoral work in spiritual listening and answers questions like: What is spiritual listening? Why is spiritual listening so desperately needed in the church right now? How can we find connection in the midst of deep disagreement? Are there tools to help us be better listeners? Resources: The People Who See Webpage Free Spiritual Disciples Handbook (PDF) Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!...
May 02, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In this episode, we talk more with spiritual director Dawn Dishman about spiritual disciplines, and she leads us through a prayer practice! What do we do when we find ourselves longing for more in our faith? How do we survive the desert moments of our faith? Why don’t our current understandings of Christian spirituality include the disciplines? How can the disciplines stretch us to reimagine the ways we connect with God? How would our spiritual lives change if we approached our relationship with...
Apr 22, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Today we are so excited to introduce you to Dawn Dishman, Beth and Esther’s spiritual director! In this interview, she shares her story of discovering spiritual disciplines and helps us to answer questions like: What is spiritual direction? How does spiritual direction differ from coaching, counseling, or discipling? What are spiritual disciplines? How can spiritual disciplines change the way we view our spiritual lives? Here are some books we reference in the episode! Formed for the Glory of Go...
Apr 18, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 27
In part two of this conversation we dig into meaningful questions like: Why does Christianity tend to believe that the body is bad, and how can we begin to believe that our bodies are good? How has purity culture affected the way we see our bodies? How can we stop comparing traumas? How can we be good companions to survivors of trauma? Can God understand the pain of survivors of sexual violence? How can churches become more trauma-sensitive? TW: This episode includes content about sexual violenc...
Apr 08, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In part one of our conversation with Sumer Bingham Musick, we hear Sumer’s story, we learn about her dissertation research, and ask questions like: What is embodied theology? Does the body matter to God? What is the place of the spiritual in the midst of physical healing? Did Jesus experience sexual violence? How can the church better care for survivors? TW: This episode includes content about sexual violence and trauma that may be difficult for some listeners. Sometimes this material can be cha...
Apr 04, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 25
In part two of our conversation with Rev. Dr. Teri McDowell Ott we talk about about how to have hard conversations, we ask questions like: How can the church be better at having hard conversations? What is the role of privilege in these conversations? What is the difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking? What if conversations don’t go well? Is there a magic formula that will ensure these conversations go well? How do we overcome the fear of having these conversations? Here are the books w...
Mar 25, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 24
In part one of our conversation with Rev. Dr. Teri McDowell Ott, we discuss her book, Necessary Risks, and her article, “A liberal daughter discusses White privilege with her conservative father.” In this half of the conversation we ask questions like: What kind of risks do we need to take as Christians to be liberated from our fears? How can we re-center our lives to focus on thought leaders of color? What is a dominator culture and how does it change our conversations? What is the role of powe...
Mar 21, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In part two of our interview with Alyssa Catalfino, we ask questions like: What assumptions have we made about Gen Z? What assumptions have others made about us? How can we learn to listen to those who are different from us? How can those of us who are older learn from those who are younger? How would we change if we saw all people as made in the Image of God? Music citation Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/your-own-world License code: 1WX6GFMRRZEGMYVC...
Mar 11, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In part one of our interview with Alyssa Catalfino, we have the honor of hearing her story and digging into questions like: What does Gen Z need from the church? How can we hold space and grace for the church? How can we reject stereotypes and see others as whole people? What can we learn from Gen Z? How can we learn to listen to Gen Z? Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/your-own-world License code: 1WX6GFMRRZEGMYVC...
Mar 07, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Trigger Warning: abuse, spiritual abuse In part two of our conversation with Regina Brunz, MA - a counselor specializing in spiritual abuse - we move from “What is spiritual abuse?” to “What can we do about it?” and tackle questions like: What is the role of intent in spiritual harm? What do I do if I think I’ve been spiritually abused? How can we be good companions to someone who has been spiritually abused? Why is community so important in calling out spiritual abuse? Does intent matter with s...
Feb 25, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Trigger Warning: abuse, spiritual abuse Today is part one of our conversation with Regina Brunz, MA - a counselor specializing in spiritual abuse. She helps us answer questions like: What is spiritual abuse? What are the markers that can help us identify spiritual abuse? How does spiritual abuse differ from emotional or psychological abuse? What are the symptoms of spiritual abuse? Here are some resources to learn more! A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power...
Feb 21, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In part two of our conversation with Melissa Cran, we hear more of Melissa’s story and dig into questions like: Where do we see God in the stories of gay Christians? How do Side A and Side B Christians interact with each other? Do we really believe it’s ok to disagree on this topic? How can we hold space for those we disagree with? How do we create a church culture that is more inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community? How can we change the definition of family within the church? Melissa’s resources! F...
Feb 11, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Today we continue listening to the stories of LGBTQ+ Christians with our interview with the amazing Melissa Cran! In part one of this interview, Melissa shares her story of her relationship with the church and we dive into questions like: What are Side A and Side B as they relate to the LGBTQ+ community? What does it look like to move from Side B to Side A? What does deconstruction look like for a gay Christian? What does it feel like to be asked to choose celibacy? How can the church support ce...
Feb 07, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In part two of our interview with podcaster and pastor Josh Proctor, we explore questions like: What does community look like for Side B Christians? Is “homosexual” an acceptable word to use? And how can we learn to use our language more thoughtfully? How can the church become a relevant voice in the LGBTQ+ conversation? How can the church better care for LGBTQ+ Christians? What resources are available for Christians to educate themselves? How can we be a safe space for someone to come out to? H...
Jan 28, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Today’s episode is part one of our four-part series listening to the stories of LGBTQ+ Christians! Check out part one of our interview with podcaster and pastor Josh Proctor to hear his story and dig into questions like: What is it like to be a gay Christian? Do all gay Christians believe the same things about sexuality and Christianity? What are Side A and Side B as they relate to the LGBTQ+ community? How can the church find a theology of sexuality and community that works for everyone? What i...
Jan 24, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Trigger warning: Today’s episode is about suffering, and as much as we try to approach it from a place of gentleness and care, if you’re feeling especially tender, make sure you’re listening in a safe place with safe people. Practically, what do I do when someone I love is suffering? What is my natural reaction to the suffering of others? How do we move into a place of balance and health when we walk with people in suffering? What is spiritual listening and how can it change the way we walk with...
Jan 14, 2022•30 min
Trigger warning: Today’s episode is about suffering, and as much as we try to approach it from a place of gentleness and care, if you’re feeling especially tender, make sure you’re listening in a safe place with safe people. There is also a mention of suicide, so if that is not a safe topic for you, maybe skip this one. Why do good people suffer? Does suffering mean you’re not a good Christian? What does it mean that God is with us in our suffering? How were you taught about suffering? And what ...
Jan 10, 2022•41 min
In part two of our conversation around the question, “Is Quitting Weakness?” we dig into questions like: What do we do about quitting relationships? What qualifies as “toxic”? What do boundaries actually look like in everyday life? What has Christianity taught us about quitting? How do you reconcile being faithful or being called and quitting? How do we decide what is most sacred in a given situation, and is it ok if what is most sacred for you is not what is most sacred for someone else? Music ...
Dec 17, 2021•31 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In today’s episode, we share our stories of quitting, and we dig into questions like: How do we learn to listen to ourselves and trust when it’s right to quit and when we need to stick it out? How does brain science affect our decisions to walk away or to stick it out? What do you do with the shame of quitting if you quit something and you don’t have something else lined up? What happens when others do not and cannot understand why you’re walking away from something? Here’s the book we reference...
Dec 13, 2021•38 min
In part two of our interview with Pastor Jordan Minnich Kjesbo, we dive into questions like: What do I do if I feel like the church just isn’t working for me anymore? What are the essentials of the church? What are the markers of how close we are to the heart of God and how do we measure them? How do we view success in ministry and are our models of church driven by success? How can we try to be faithful to what God is calling us to do and, ultimately, how can we stay hopeful while still asking ...
Dec 03, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In part one of our very first interview, we talk with Pastor Jordan Minnich Kjesbo about the church. He introduces us to the concepts of Bounded Set and Centered set models of church and we begin to unpack what we can learn from each. Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/your-own-world License code: 1WX6GFMRRZEGMYVC
Nov 29, 2021•31 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In part two of our Enneagram conversation we use the Enneagram as a starting point to ask bigger questions of our theology. Some questions we dig into are: How have we watered down our theology to make it more accessible? Is there value in gatekeeping? How have we used our theology as a weapon? How have I made my opinions a part of my identity? Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/your-own-world License code: 1WX6GFMRRZEGMYVC Here are some resources we recommend to...
Nov 19, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In part one of our conversation about the Enneagram, Esther and Beth put on their boxing gloves and face off over the question, “Is the Enneagram Overrated?” We share our stories of how we have been helped or hurt by the Enneagram, Esther does a deep dive into the history of the Enneagram, and we explore the ways in which Instagram versions of the Enneagram have hurt more than they have helped. Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/your-own-world License code: 1WX6G...
Nov 15, 2021•29 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In part two of our conversation about the Bible, we unpack how to avoid tribalism by leaning into different spiritual practices that might stretch us past the edge of our discomfort, and learn how to look at truth through different lenses in order to have a more balanced, holistic understanding of faith Here are some resources we reference in the episode! The Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian Spirituality by Ronald Rolheiser Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us by A...
Nov 05, 2021•26 min•Season 1Ep. 6
What were you taught about the Bible? A lot of us were raised on the mantra of, “If the Bible says it, that settles it,” but have you ever had that horrible sinking feeling when you realized, “Oh, that didn’t settle it”? In today’s episode, we use the story of Andy Stanley’s infamous “The Bible Told Me So” sermon to unpack the things we’ve been taught about the Bible and how we can begin to have a more balanced understanding of the Bible’s role in our faith. We introduce the concept of the Wesle...
Oct 30, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this two-part episode, Esther leads us into the theological weeds of Christianity’s patriarchal roots. In part one, she shares her story of growing up with a patriarchal and complementarian understanding of Christianity and explains the ways in which her thinking has now evolved and changed. In part two, we dive deeper into understandings of egalitarian and complementarian theologies and the ways in which we can find a third way that honors our shared humanity and sets both genders free. We a...
Oct 22, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this two-part episode, Esther leads us into the theological weeds of Christianity’s patriarchal roots. In part one, she shares her story of growing up with a patriarchal and complementarian understanding of Christianity and explains the ways in which her thinking has now evolved and changed. In part two, we dive deeper into understandings of egalitarian and complementarian theologies and the ways in which we can find a third way that honors our shared humanity and sets both genders free. We a...
Oct 18, 2021•32 min
In the spirit of asking questions often avoided, we use our first two-part episode to tackle a topic that is creating an increasingly wide divide among people within and without the church. We ask questions like, “How do I walk alongside someone who is deconstructing?” and “What if someone I love deconstructs and loses their faith?” We also discuss the inherent privilege of choosing whether or not to deconstruct, and offer an understanding of embedded and deliberative theology as a lens through ...
Oct 08, 2021•33 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In the spirit of asking questions often avoided, we use our first two-part episode to tackle a topic that is creating an increasingly wide divide among people within and without the church. We ask questions like, “How do I walk alongside someone who is deconstructing?” and “What if someone I love deconstructs and loses their faith?” We also discuss the inherent privilege of choosing whether or not to deconstruct, and offer an understanding of embedded and deliberative theology as a lens through ...
Oct 04, 2021•31 min
