Quick to Listen Podcast--Soul Care to Heal the World

Beth and Emily get real about changing seasons and re -working their personal soul care plan, aka Rule of Life, and giving women and leaders permission to ask some tough questions about what is draining us and not giving us joy. All for God's glory, our benefit and ultimately for the sake of others.Rule of LIfe Resources 

In honor of Women's History Month, Beth mentions several women of the past that have shaped her spiritual formation. They are all reformers, most from Europe, who possessed rich, personal and deeply devoted inner lives with God, which informed their remarkable outer actions. As Emily Reed interviews Beth, she focuses on St. Clare of Assisi, a 13th century woman who walked out of her noble home, cut off her hair, and staged a quiet revolution that the Vatican never saw coming.Clare was told she needed a protector; she chose poverty. She and the women in her order went barefoot and slept on the floor, as a means of solidarity with the poor they served. She was told she needed a man’s rules; she became the first woman in history to write her own. Today, we’re uncovering the radical, barefoot, and utterly unbreakable Clare of Assisi. Let’s dive in.

Jon Bennett, beloved husband of Beth for 37 years, describes a time in his life as a pastor that he calls the "dark night of the soul", when things that were working no longer worked, and when certainty was replaced by uncertainty. Beth and Jon discuss how letting God out of the box, self-awareness, brain science and welcoming their humanness have been saving graces in their marriage.

Buz Mayo, Enneagram coach, spiritual director, pastor and men's ministry leader, talks with Beth about his experience in Wales, England on a 30 day silent retreat following Saint Ignatius' 20th annotation. He speaks of his evolving faith and of the many facets of Christianity that have guided him on his faith journey, and the courage to heal and grow with new tools and practices. Buz, in partnership with Jesus, gives us permission to turn shame into being honest about what brings life.

Josh Davis, ordained pastor, spiritual director and podcast host of Neurodivergent Faith, has autism and ADHD. This honest, riveting conversation opens up the possilbilty for our culture to learn from people whose brains may work differently than ours. And instead of being afraid of our differences and being shamed into conforming, leaning in and learning how to be embraced as the unique human we all are.

Stephanie Johnston, former missionary and church staff leader, now counselor and non-profit leader, talks openly about the journey that led her to spiritual direction, a more contemplative way of life, and the amazing transformation she has discovered in her personal life and ministry. This episode will encourage leaders to say "yes" to the invitations of the Spirit, leading them to a nurture and joy they long for.

Tracy Arntzen, President of Saving Susan, an orphan care ministry, unpacks with Beth their shared experience on a recent bike trip in France, through the lens of the Examen. The spiritual practice of Examen, introduced by St Ignatius of Loyola, helps us discern God's love and presence throughout the day's experience so we can grow in self-awareness, thankfulness and joy.

Karen McAdams, Bible teacher and co-host of "There is More" podcast is passionate about women taking off their masks and unraveling the lie--"I need to hide in order to be loved." We dive deep into the narratives about God that keep women pretending, suppressing and neglecting their real needs.

Bryan Apinis, Director of Intersect and Be Rich at Northpoint Ministries, opens up about how he has handled massive loss and disappointment and why stuffing pain and pushing down hope is so damaging to our soul.

Joy Chambley, founder of Moms with Swords, and Beth open up about the ups and downs in their parenting journey. Joy shares how she is leading moms into deeper care and healing in their own spiritual lives so that they can influence and love their children well, helping them flourish and be all God has created them to be.

Keith Jennings, Senior VP of Community Impact at Jackson Healthcare, shares about his journey in trying to tune into God's presence amid the stress of everyday life. He has learned much of his contemplative practice from training as a Benedictine oblate with Saint Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana, and shares how contemplation offers superpower to leaders today. He also talks about what humility really is and why it is so challenging. Recommended books:"Lead Like a Monk"--Anselm Grün "Into the Silent Land"--Martin Laird

Gem Fadling, founding partner of Unhurried Living, life coach and spiriutal director, speaks in her nurturing and prophetic voice on calling women out of shame, shut down and anxious living. She gives us permission to find our own voice ,wake up to our God given desires, ask the question "What do I want?" and to stop apologizing for taking up space.Find Gem at--https://www.unhurriedliving.com/The Unhurried Living PodcastHold That Thought --Gem's book

Beth shares how she is experiencing Lent and letting go this season, based on a guide she has found in Jesus's life and Christine Paintner's book, "A Different Kind of Fast: Embracing our True Hungers in Lent".

Beth and Judy discuss one of the most helpful books they have read on their faith journey, "The Critical Journey" by Hagberg and Guelich. Listeners will gain better understanding of how God grows and transforms lives spiritually and how to respond to his invitations. The conversation also offers helpful thoughts on how to navigate times of doubt and confusion we all feel in our life of faith.

Beth talks with One Race leaders, Josh Clemons and Dan Crain, on how to love people better across color, class and culture by looking at ourselves deeply and at the life of Jesus. Listen in and discover how to navigate the cultural waters we all swim in with grace and kindness. Learn more about One Race at-https://oneracemovement.com/Books recommended on podcast:Know Own Change--Josh ClemonsOne Blood--John PerkinsJesus and the Disinherited--Howard ThurmanDivided by Faith--Michael Emerson and Christian Smith

Tracy Hurst, Licensed Professional Counselor, author andconference speaker talks about how her chronic illness is teaching her to become more curious and kind.  She offers expert advice on helping us listen to what our bodies are communicating to us, instead of ignoring and pushing down our pain. You can find Tracy at:  https://tracyhurst.comPodcast Website:  https://bestillbefree.squarespace.comTo speak with Tracy about counseling: https://tracyhurst.com/counseling/ Tracy’sbook—"Tuesdays With Tracy” -- https://a.co/d/1w3gyKV

Emily Reed, Flagship ministry coach and consultant, talks about her journey from burnout to a new way of life and how her recent Sabbatical for 3 months in Italy has aided her in greater self-awareness, healing, play and wonder.

Beth Laury, spiritual director and retreat leader at Sacred Spaces, speaks of her shifting view of God from a task-master to lover. Her ministry has also shifted from" worker and doer" to more of a "hidden call", and helps us discover the beauty of living free from past narratives that have limited our capacity to experience true joy in our spirituality. She encourages Christians who have felt distant from God to listen to God's tender and gentle urgings of the soul, as He invites them closer.

Michael Mitchell serves as VP for Advancement at Feed the Children, the second-largest independent food bank in the US. His career in fundraising spans 20 years. His approach to fundraising is fresh, fun and with the heart of a spiritual director. Michael writes a weekly email called Soul Care Saturday and he posts each week on his Linked In --Fundraising Friday. He brings practical relational tips for leaders, in fundraising and life, that are grounded in a tending to our inner world. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-d-mitchell/

Vince Hungate, Founder and President of Intentional Marriages , spiritual director and Enneagram 8, brings a candid and honest conversation around hidden anger in his life that almost cost him his marriage and his ministry. HIs journey in self awareness and having safe places to unpack his pain is the foundation of his ministry. intentional Marriage--https://intentionalmarriage.org/Sustainable Faith--https://sustainablefaith.com/schools/spiritual-direction

Bob Lewis, founder of Lewis Leadership, works with executives and senior leaders at organizations like Chick-fil-a and CRU. He has a certification in spiritual direction and shares openly his journey of finding his true self despite childhood trauma and a former life of deep pain. He talks about how he helps leaders get free from the lies of the enemy and deeply held beliefs rooted from early life experiences which almost always limit their joy and effectiveness.

Pam Lilly, ministry leader, missionary and non profit consultant shares wisdom from her new book, "The First, the Only, the Few--Why Unity in Christ is Not Always Black and White". We learn that being curious about our differences is a key to healing the world and ourselves.Check out Pam's new book--The First, The Only, The Few

Jennifer Batka, spiritual director and formation coach at Peachtree Presbyterian, shares how she discovered what was missing in her walk with God. And how silence, stillness and slowing was not only was a catalyst in helping her to get unstuck, but also how she now leads her church in this counter cultural way of being with God.

Erica Miller brings her spiritual direction training tools to the volleyball court, as she led the Pope Varsity girls volleyball team to their 2nd state championship this Fall (2024). Listen in to hear how Erica leads her team with the kindness and welcome of God, which she personally has experienced in her spiritual journey.

Listen in with Beth and Brent Harrison, Executive Director of Restore International, counselor and spiritual director. They discuss how spiritual direction can be a support to pastors and ministry leaders.

Matia Cressler, Executive Director of The Ignatius House, shares her joy in discovering silent retreats 30 years ago as a young mom. Now, she leads herself and others in the wisdom of Ignatian Spirituality, including the prayer of examen, a life-giving practice of noticing God's love in your day.

Beth says "words and ideas can only take us so far" and invites listeners to let go of the familiar as Zechariah did this Advent season.

Our conversation continues around understanding our attachment style with Summer Joy Gross, Anglican priest, retreat leader and spiritual director, and how it affects our relationship with God and others. Learn more about Summer at https://www.athirstforgod.com/the-presence-project/

Summer Joy Gross, Anglican priest, retreat leader and spiritual director, talks about the essential elements of attachment theory and helps us partner with God in our healing. We discuss her amazing book, The Emmanuel Project, Discover the Security of a Life Held by God, and discover that our needs are simply invitations to deeper connection. Learn more about Summer at https://www.athirstforgod.com/the-presence-project/

Boyd and Rita Bailey (NCF GA President and Wisdom Hunter founders) open up their marriage on the show, as we talk about how contemplative wisdom and practices have transformed their life, ministry and marriage. Learn more about their ministry at https://www.wisdomhunters.com/

Kelly McSwain, spiritual director, talks openly about how spiritual direction and contemplative practices helped her during a huge transition in her life and a dark night of the soul.

Beth is interviewed by Kelly McSwain. You will learn more about Beth’s faith journey and what led her to go deeper in the Christian contemplative tradition, and how the hospitable work of spiritual direction has been a healing agent in her life.

Best selling author of 9 books, including "Aging Faithfully" and "The Art of Spiritual Listening", spiritual director Alice Fryling gives us permission to let go of certainty and control as we age and in seasons of doubt and disappointment, finding God's holy invitations in all of life. Learn more about Alice at www.alicefryling.com

Spiritual director, retreat leader and CRU staff member, Judy Lewis, reminds us that listening is loving, and can be a catalyst for major growth on the spiritual journey. This intimate conversation draws listeners to the gentleness of Jesus, the supreme spiritual director. Learn more about Judy at-- https://www.judynelsonlewis.com/

Discussion continues with Danny Mullins and Beth as they unpack the gift that spiritual direction brings to the world in the form of offering souls a space to get real and stop pretending. Learn more about Danny at--https://sustainablefaith.com/

Beth and Danny Mullins (instructor at Sustainable Faith) discuss what spiritual direction is and how deep listening can heal souls. We probe why the art of listening has been lost in our culture and in the church, as well as practices to help listen deeply to yourself. Learn more about Danny at--https://sustainablefaith.com/

Buckle up! We’re going to dive deep into some honest conversations around mental and spiritual health in leadership. Beth looks back on her own spiritual journey and is grateful for how contemplative practices like stillness, silence, and solitude have helped her lead from a deeper security in God's love. Combining the spiritual wisdom of Jesus and other teachers in the Christian tradition, with tools from psychology and brain science, each episode explores tips for healthy self-love while you care for others. Learn more at --www.bethbennett.org