When confronting spiritual abuse, it can feel more straightforward to focus on a specific person or leader who may have caused harm. But it’s also important to address the systems and cultural contexts that, in their most obvious forms, promote abuse—and in their more subtle forms, allow it to happen or refuse to confront it. In this episode, Dan and Rachael dive into the painful realities of spiritual abuse and the systems that uphold it. They explore how cultural powers—such as patriarchy, whi...
Nov 22, 2024•38 min
Abuse of any kind involves a setup and a breach of trust – and spiritual abuse is no exception. Whether it stems from personal relationships or institutional settings, spiritual abuse can deeply disrupt our sense of attachment and connection, leaving lasting wounds. These wounds may have their roots in early developmental trauma, making spiritual abuse feel like an echo of past harm. It’s not just about the betrayal of spiritual abuse in the more recent past—whether during teen years, college ex...
Nov 15, 2024•43 min
In this episode of the Allender Center Podcast, Dan and Rachael open up about navigating uncertain times with faith and intentionality. They recorded this conversation before the results of the U.S. Presidential election were announced so that, no matter the outcome, they could focus on what it means to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly in today’s world. As they examine both the cultural landscape and the state of their own hearts, we invite you to listen and join them in reflecting on wha...
Nov 08, 2024•34 min
This week, we’re checking in with you, dear listeners, in a candid and vulnerable episode. Days before the U.S. Presidential Election, Dan and Rachael share the emotional weight they’re carrying, touching on the intense anxiety, anger, and grief of this turbulent season and honestly acknowledging, “We’re not doing well.” Together, they explore practices that help them stay grounded and find hope. We hope that this conversation possibly helps you navigate similar feelings in uncertain times, or, ...
Nov 01, 2024•37 min
In this episode, we invite you to take a deep breath and find some grounding through the power of poetry. Whether you're navigating stress or simply feeling a bit unsteady, poetry — reading it, writing it, or even the act of writing any thoughts by hand — can offer profound moments of calm and connection. We're thrilled to be joined once again by Sue Cunningham, an Allender Center facilitator and licensed therapist. Sue wears many hats — poet, life and soul coach, spiritual director — and now, p...
Oct 25, 2024•48 min
Dr. J.P. Kang joins Dan and Rachael this week to introduce The Seattle School’s brand new Certificate in Scripture and Society. From the beginning, J.P. makes it clear—this isn't just another Bible study course. As he explains, “It's not the way that they've approached scripture in a previous church setting or perhaps faith-based educational institution. I think that what I'm trying to do is help students become better readers, both of the text and of their context, of themselves.” This transfor...
Oct 18, 2024•33 min
On this week’s episode of The Allender Center Podcast, licensed therapist, professor, and author Chuck DeGroat returns to discuss his latest book, “Healing What’s Within: Coming Home to Yourself—and to God—When You’re Wounded, Weary, and Wandering.” In this deeply personal and insightful conversation, Chuck explores the profound journey of healing from trauma, especially when it's caused by circumstances beyond our control. After the release of his previous book, “When Narcissism Comes to Church...
Oct 11, 2024•46 min
Just as it’s important to understand our own stories to make sense of our lives today, it’s also crucial to examine the stories within the church’s history to better understand how they are playing out in the present. That’s why we’re excited to welcome back author, professor, and church historian The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt as she explores the life of a woman who played a significant role in the ministry, burial, and resurrection of Jesus: Mary Magdalene. For too long, the church has mi...
Oct 04, 2024•45 min
In this episode, Nancy opens up about her personal journey through childhood sexual abuse, revealing how it led her to take on an investigative journalism project that would dramatically alter both her career and her life. As the lead journalist, Nancy exposed the deep-rooted culture of enabling and covering up sexual abuse at one of the largest Christian camps in the U.S. In the process of confronting her own past, Nancy also faced significant opposition, particularly from Christians who defend...
Sep 27, 2024•27 min
Join us for a compelling two-part conversation with author, ghostwriter, and investigative journalist Nancy French. In this episode, Nancy shares some of her story - from growing up in the impoverished foothills of the Appalachian Mountains to meeting her now-husband, journalist David French, and spontaneously moving to New York and beginning her career as ghostwriter for numerous books by conservative political leaders, including five that hit the New York Times bestselling list. Stay tuned for...
Sep 27, 2024•26 min
In this episode, Rachael Clinton Chen and her husband Michael Chen dive into the importance of parenting with kindness—not just toward children, but toward ourselves. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, it's common for past traumas to resurface when you're feeling overwhelmed or stretched thin. Rachael and Michael openly discuss the joys and challenges they've faced in their new marriage, blending families, raising young children, and navigating a pandemic, all of which have both...
Sep 20, 2024•36 min
Dan opens today’s episode with this principle: “All harm came in relationship; all healing equally requires a relationship.” If you’ve been with us for a while, you’ll understand that healing from abuse is not something we do alone. We need the presence and kindness of others to truly heal and flourish. Yet, when we’ve been abused, it can feel so challenging to trust again, especially when trauma leaves us feeling isolated and hypervigilant. In this episode, Dan and Rachael explore how finding s...
Sep 13, 2024•48 min
This week, we’re sifting through some of the "debris" that can hinder people from moving into the healing process in the wake of sexual abuse. Dan and Rachael talk about some of the questions that can keep people feeling stuck and silent: What if I don’t remember everything? What if my healing journey affects my loved ones? Shouldn’t I just forgive and move on? Can I wait until life isn’t so busy? What if facing this feels overwhelming? By acknowledging these barriers, you can start to see a way...
Sep 06, 2024•42 min
In this episode, Rachael Clinton Chen is joined by Vanessa Sadler, a trauma-informed spiritual director and contemplative creative, who brings heartfelt wisdom to the conversation about healing from personal and collective trauma and abuse. Vanessa draws on her unique training in the Enneagram, spiritual direction, and Narrative Focused Trauma Care to explore what spiritual direction truly is (and what it is not). Vanessa highlights the transformative power of spiritual direction as a vital part...
Aug 30, 2024•45 min
Spiritual director and story coach, TJ Poon, sits down with Rachael Clinton Chen to explore the intersection of spiritual formation and White racial identity development. We’ll begin by saying that we are approaching this conversation with a deep sense of responsibility and humility, honoring the voices of people of color who have led the way and are aware that two White people are not experts on racism. This is a complex topic and there will be missteps. Even when the conversations are difficul...
Aug 23, 2024•48 min
Parents, this episode is for you! Join Rachael Clinton Chen as she sits down with Jay and Heather Stringer to explore how to talk to your kids about sensitive topics like the body, desire, sex, puberty, and even pornography in ways that are kind and attuned to their needs. Jay and Heather share the importance of parents first exploring their own stories around sexuality, as unresolved issues or patterns in our own upbringing can impact how we approach these conversations with our children. In th...
Aug 16, 2024•51 min
We’re back to engage more questions from you, our listeners, about healing from spiritual abuse. In this episode, Rachael Clinton Chen, alongside Allender Center Product Manager Melissa Dowell, addresses heartfelt and challenging questions from our community. These questions explore the complexities of bringing spiritual abuse to light, navigating healing as survivors, especially those who have faced backlash for speaking out, and managing the unique struggles of working in a church while dealin...
Aug 09, 2024•38 min
Join Rachael Clinton Chen for the conclusion of her three-part series, where she offers a candid and heartfelt look at her journey of holistic healing from complex PTSD and anxiety. In this final episode, Rachael explores the surprising aspects of trauma recovery, including how trauma manifests in the body and the often unpredictable nature of the healing process. Building on her previous discussions about the mental and spiritual impacts of trauma, Rachael now turns her focus to the physical as...
Aug 03, 2024•52 min
This month, we're bringing back three of our most popular conversations from last year, featuring some incredible guests. Whether you've heard them before or not, we invite you to listen, reflect, and perhaps share them with a friend. The third and final episode in our summer replay series features Dr. Dan Allender and Becky Allender, and Dr. Steve Call and Lisa Call. This was our most-downloaded episode about marriage last year, and there’s definitely some wisdom in this conversation. You’ll he...
Jul 26, 2024•45 min
This month, we're bringing back three of our most popular conversations from last year, featuring some incredible guests. Whether you've heard them before or not, we invite you to listen, reflect, and perhaps share them with a friend. This episode in our summer replay series is a conversation with the amazing Marcie Alvis Walker . You may know Marcie’s work from her popular Instagram feed, Black Coffee with White Friends , or her Black-Eyed Stories on Substack . Co-hosted by Rachael Clinton Chen...
Jul 19, 2024•55 min
This month, we're bringing back three of our most popular conversations from last year, featuring some incredible guests. Whether you've heard them before or not, we invite you to listen, reflect, and perhaps share them with a friend. This first episode in our summer replay series is a conversation with a dear friend, author, and alumnus of The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, Matthias Roberts. Last fall, Matthias joined Dan and Rachael to discuss his latest book, "Holy Runaways." (I...
Jul 12, 2024•47 min
We’re back with part two of our three-part series with Rachael Clinton Chen, where she candidly shares personal insights from her own journey of holistically healing from complex PTSD and anxiety, and the things she didn’t expect when healing from trauma. In this episode, Rachael explores how trauma disrupts not only our mental and physical well-being but also our spiritual formation and imagination. Rachael reflects on her own healing journey, navigating the ways in which early spiritual experi...
Jul 05, 2024•51 min
Charlie Peacock and Andi Ashworth, prolific artists, writers, and co-founders of Art House America, join Dan in this podcast episode to discuss their life, work, and recent book, "Why Everything That Doesn't Matter, Matters So Much." In their latest book, Charlie and Andi have written a collection of letters to Christians and spiritual seekers who think deeply and care acutely about the state of the world and their personal spheres of influence. Each of these letters is a gentle nudge in the dir...
Jun 28, 2024•49 min
On this first day of summer, we’re reflecting on the complexities and emotional challenges of scheduling and managing time. Why does managing our schedules often feel so stressful, chaotic, and even triggering? The episode begins with Rachael admitting: “I'm laughing at how we on the Allender Center Podcast could take a topic like scheduling and dive into the deep recesses of the complexity of it.” The truth is that scheduling is not just about logistics and managing time, but also about dealing...
Jun 22, 2024•37 min
Please note that this episode contains discussions of sex, and mentions sensitive topics like sexual assault, rape, and misogyny. Listener discretion is advised. Do you remember “the talk?” Maybe you never had one… or wish yours had gone differently. This week, we’re pleased to talk to friend, therapist, writer, and NFTC alumni Sam Jolman, MA, LPC, about his new book, “The Sex Talk You Never Got,” which was just released this week. In our sex-saturated world, it might seem surprising that men ne...
Jun 14, 2024•50 min
We’re pleased to bring you a new, three-part series this summer from Rachael Clinton Chen, where she candidly shares personal insights from her own journey of holistically healing from complex PTSD and anxiety, and the things she didn’t expect when healing from trauma. In the first episode of this series, Rachael shares some of her earliest memories of contending with anxiety as a child, how she managed it, and what eventually drove her to begin to seek help. From the heart-wrenching lows to the...
Jun 07, 2024•48 min
Story is how we make meaning as humans. Stories help us shape our identity and influence our perception of God. Our stories also are revelatory; they reveal something of the nature of God in a way that nothing else does. If you’re curious about why we talk so much about story here at the Allender Center - or if you’ve heard it before and need a gentle reminder - this episode will help you reflect on the role of story and how your story connects with the story of God.
May 31, 2024•37 min
We believe that we are made for honor. We’re made to be known, to be seen, and to be delighted in. But along the way, the joy of being honored somehow gets distorted. Shame, envy, or exploitation often tarnish our encounters with honor. As a result, many of us either shy away from it or diminish its significance. Alternatively, many of us may find ourselves chasing a counterfeit version of honor, pursuing attention, affirmation, wealth, or status. Why does receiving honor often evoke discomfort ...
May 24, 2024•45 min
Do you ever feel stuck in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions or negative thoughts? Dr. Alison Cook , therapist and host of "The Best of You" podcast, joins Rachael Clinton Chen to explore the intricacies of navigating emotions. Her latest book, I Shouldn’t Feel This Way , offers practical strategies and a transformative 3-step framework to navigate difficult emotions and find more clarity. Whether you’re grappling with past wounds, conflicting emotions, or seeking more connection with yourself ...
May 17, 2024•47 min
In Romans, we’re encouraged to renew our minds, but what does that really mean? Can we just think our way to healing? Today, Dan and Rachael dive into the fascinating world of mind-body renewal. They discuss how relying solely on our thoughts for healing has its limitations and propose a more holistic approach that considers the polyvagal system—a fascinating network that regulates our nervous system. Referencing Romans 12:2, they stress the importance of going beyond just thinking differently, ...
May 10, 2024•44 min
