Is society producing more narcissists, or producing more people susceptible to abuse by narcissists? How has narcissism evolved in our internet age?

In this episode, we explore the evolving nature of narcissism in the internet age and its impact on church communities. We discuss the shift from authority-based to algorithm-based influence, the rise of performative narcissism, and the attack on empathy.

Our guest is Dr. Chuck DeGroat, the Professor of Counseling and Christian Spirituality and Executive Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Western Theological Seminary, Holland, MI. He is also a licensed and practicing therapist, a spiritual director, author of five books, his newest book, Healing What’s Within. He also wrote When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community from Emotional and Spiritual Abuse.

Join the launch team for Landscapes of the Soul by filling out this form (hit the title to buy the book). We need you to propel this book forward.

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In this episode of the Attaching to God podcast, host Geoff Holsclaw chats with singer-songwriter and poet Andy Squyres about his faith journey, his time in Santa Cruz, and reconciling disappointment with hope.

They discuss his creative process, dealing with grief and deconstruction, and the significance of embracing both doctrinal depth and authentic emotional experiences in faith.

Andy Squyres is a songwriter and author born and raised in the Bay Area of northern California who for the last quarter century has been working from the suburbs of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Check out his latest EP, "Miracle Service".

Join the launch team for Landscapes of the Soul by filling out this form (hit the title to buy the book). We need you to propel this book forward.

Stay Connected:

• Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort.
• Join the Embodied Faith community to stay connected and get posts, episodes, & resources.
• Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).

What exactly is spiritual formation? Is it similar or different than discipleship? And who is having this conversation about spiritual formation anyway?

In this episode of the Attaching to God podcast, hosted by Geoff Holsclaw and produced by Embodied Faith, the focus is on spiritual formation—what it is, how it compares to discipleship, and its future. Dr. Strobel shares his journey into this field, discusses the historical background of spiritual formation within evangelicalism, and explains the importance of integrating theological depth into spiritual practices. Concerns about the potential pitfalls of spiritual formation becoming a mere self-help concept and the need for ecclesial context and communal life are highlighted.

Dr. Kyle Strobel is the director of the Institute for Spiritual Formation and is associate professor of spiritual theology at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, who writes and teaches in the area of spiritual formation. He is most recently the co-author of the book, Where Prayer Becomes Real: How Honesty with God Transforms Your Soul.

Be sure to follow his writing on his Substack.

Join the launch team for Landscapes of the Soul by filling out this form (hit the title to buy the book). We need you to propel this book forward.

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• Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort.
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In this episode of the Attaching to God podcast, we explore the often overlooked emotional struggles faced by leaders.

Our guests are Nicholas and Sheila Wise Rowe. Nicholas Rowe is the Haslin Associate Professor of Leadership at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. And Sheila Wise Row is a seasoned counselor and author (and previous podcast guest). We talk about their new book, Healing Leadership Trauma: Finding Emotional Health and Helping Others Flourish. The conversation delves into the impact of trauma, attachment theory, and the myths of self-sufficiency in leadership. They also cover systemic challenges such as racial and gender trauma and share practical embodied practices for healing.

00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Trauma

00:44 Meet the Authors: Nicholas Row and Sheila Wise Row

02:04 The Journey of Co-Writing 'Healing Leadership'

03:16 Understanding Leadership Challenges

06:54 Attachment Theory and Leadership

09:06 Insecure Attachment in Leadership

17:00 The Myth of Self-Sufficiency in Leadership

22:12 Systemic Dynamics: Gender and Racial Trauma

25:45 Historical Context of Cultural Systems

26:35 Challenges Faced by Marginalized Leaders

28:10 Gender Expectations and Leadership

30:36 Defining Leadership Trauma

32:32 Embodied Practices for Healing

37:54 Community Support and Accountability

45:37 Final Thoughts and Staying Connected

Join the launch team for Landscapes of the Soul by filling out this form (hit the title to buy the book). We need you to propel this book forward.

Stay Connected:

• Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort.
• Join the Embodied Faith community to stay connected and get posts, episodes, & resources.
• Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).

Does neurodiversity impact relational attachments? What does secure and insecure attachment look like for those who aren’t neurotypical?

In this episode of the Attachment to God podcast, hosts Geoff and Cyd Holsclaw are joined by Barbara Grant, a specialist in autism and neurodiverse couples coaching. They talk about how neurodiversity impacts relational attachments and spiritual practices, particularly in the context of secure and insecure attachment.

Barbara Grant, holds a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy, a Certified Autism Specialist (IBCCES) and a certified Neurodiverse Couples Coach (AANE). She edited and is one of the authors of Uniquely Us: Gracefully Navigating the Maze of Neurodiverse Marriages and is the co-host of The Neurodiverse Couple's Coaches podcast.

Join the launch team for Landscapes of the Soul by filling out this form (hit the title to buy the book). We need you to propel this book forward.

Stay Connected:

• Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort.
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Scholars of the Apostle Paul have long debated the so-called center of Paul’s theology, focusing on themes like justification by faith, reconciliation, union with Christ, and the apocalyptic triumph of God in Christ. But what if love really is the heart of the gospel that he preached?

In this episode of the Attaching to God podcast, we welcome Nijay Gupta, the Julius R. Manti Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, to discuss his new book The Affections of Christ Jesus: Love at the Heart of Paul's Theology.

Dr. Gupta elaborates on the crucial role of love in Paul's teachings and explores its connection to emotional theory and neuroscience. Gupta also touches upon his personal experiences with emotional well-being.

Be sure to check out his podcast, Slow Theology: Simple Faith for Chaotic Times

Join the launch team for Landscapes of the Soul by filling out this form (hit the title to buy the book). We need you to propel this book forward.

Stay Connected:

• Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort.
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In this episode of the Attaching to God podcast, hosts Geoff and Cyd Holsclaw welcome Steve Cuss. They delve into the nature of anxiety, different coping mechanisms, and how these dynamics affect relationships, including one's relationship with God.

Steve highlights the importance of addressing reactivity, identifying false needs, and fostering supportive environments within leadership teams. The episode also touches on creating inclusive spaces for minorities in leadership and discusses Steve's future project of developing an anxiety assessment tool. The conversation is engaging and insightful, offering practical tips for leaders striving to create healthier, more resilient communities.

Steve Cuss is the author of Managing Leadership Anxiety and The Expectation Gap: The Tiny, Vast Space between Our Beliefs and Experience of God, and also a columnist and host of Christianity Today’s Being Human podcast. Steve founded Capable Life to help people lower anxiety, break stuck patterns and increase well being in the workplace, home place, and in your faith.

00:00 Steve Cuss

00:14 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:21 Formula One Fandom

05:35 Steve's Background and Capable Life

08:27 Understanding Anxiety and Relationships

13:47 Differentiation and Attachment

17:58 False Needs and Chronic Anxiety

23:25 Coping Mechanisms and Insecurity

23:46 Overconfidence and Pretense

24:25 Trauma Chaplaincy and Self-Discovery

26:19 Building Healthy Church Cultures

27:09 Pursuing a Doctorate and Integration of Disciplines

28:16 Understanding Protection and Pretense

31:14 Addressing Organizational Anxiety

33:37 Minority Experiences in Leadership

38:53 Contagious Emotions and Jesus' Example

42:05 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

Join the launch team for Landscapes of the Soul by filling out this form (hit the title to buy the book). We need you to propel this book forward.

Stay Connected:

• Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort.
• Join the Embodied Faith community to stay connected and get posts, episodes, & resources.
• Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).