Unhurried Living | Helping Christians Rest Deeper & Lead Better

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...

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 dir...

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 he...

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 o...

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, s...

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?...

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...

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...

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...

In this transformative conversation, Dr. Curt Thompson, psychiatrist and author of The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope , joins us to explore the neuroscience of suffering and the profound ways connection can heal. Drawing from his expertise in interpersonal neurobiology, Curt shares practical wisdom on how our greatest pains can become places of resilience, character growth, and...

In today’s episode, Gem sits down with author, speaker, and podcaster Carlos Whitaker to discuss his new book Reconnected . After realizing the toll technology had taken on his connection with God, his community, and even himself, Carlos took radical steps to disconnect in order to reconnect. He spent nearly two months living screen-free at a monastery, an Amish farm, and his own home, experiencin...

What if love was the truest measure of who we are—not our achievements or titles, but the way we love and are loved? In today’s episode, we’re diving into this profound question through the lens of Thomas Merton, a contemplative writer whose reflections on love invite us into a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be “real.” Merton wrote that love is what breathes life into us, a force t...

In this episode, we’re tackling the problem of restless dissatisfaction and how the pursuit of contentment can offer a way forward. For many of us, there’s an underlying sense that something in life—who we are, what we have, or where we’re headed—should be different. The constant pull of “what if” and “if only” can leave us feeling ungrounded and yearning for a sense of fulfillment that always see...

The problem of burnout among Christian leaders has become an epidemic in recent years. I’ve seen Christian leaders taking emergency sabbaticals more often than at any other point in my 40 years of ministry. The souls of many Christian leaders are in trouble. How do you care for your soul? How would that help address the weariness and overwhelm many are experiencing? I’ll be talking about soul care...

Adoption is often framed by happy narratives, but the reality is that many adoptees struggle with unaddressed trauma and issues of identity and belonging. Adoptees often spend the majority of their youth without the language to explore the grief related to adoption or the permission to legitimize their conflicting emotions.   Today, Gem is speaking with counselor and author Cameron Lee Small...

Thirty years ago, I was visiting one of my very favorite sorts of places—a bookstore. It was a Barnes & Noble in Pasadena, California, and I was browsing through the Faith section of books. There I saw a book by an author I’d heard of but never read. The author was Thomas Merton, and the title was New Seeds of Contemplation .    It was Fall 1994 when I picked up a copy of Thomas Merton ’s book New...

“Your identity is a gift to be received, not a paycheck to be earned.” I love this profound insight that echoes throughout Alan’s writings. They resonate with a truth we often overlook. They capture the essence of grace—a grace that defines our existence not by what we achieve, but by who we are as God’s beloved.   Our lives are gifts and yet how often do we find ourselves caught in the trap of ea...

The parables are perhaps the most potent expression of the message of Jesus. Parables were one of his key teaching strategies. But even his inner circle struggled to understand what he was saying.    Today, I’ll be sharing a review of a new book from Dallas Willard on the parables titled The Scandal of the Kingdom .     Through insightful analysis and practical wisdom, Willard empowers readers to...

Here’s a sobering idea: It is impossible to know and understand 100% of a situation. Now, I know that may sound a bit jarring for some of us. Personally, I like to believe I always have a handle on exactly what’s going on. I’m a master mind-reader, and an excellent future-predictor—or at least I’d like to think so! Of course, I’m speaking tongue-in-cheek here.   In truth, I don’t know the future a...

Growing in grace is not about thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. If you’ve ever felt like you’re struggling to grow or that life’s challenges keep setting you back, you’re not alone. The journey toward spiritual maturity is rarely straightforward, and it’s easy to feel like we’re not progressing the way we should. We live in a culture that craves quick fixes and instant resul...

Jodi Grubbs fell headlong into the endless rush and exhaustion of hustle culture. After leaving her childhood home on the island of Bonaire in the Caribbean, she had assumed the rapid pace and stress of city living in the States. Soon she realized God was bidding her to a return to the "island time" of her past.   In time Jodi found sanctuary and ways to care for her soul by making space for God,...

When Jesus calls us to follow him, he invites into a narrow way—onto a narrow path. And narrow doesn’t immediate strike us as inviting. But Jesus also tells us that he’s come so that we could experience an abundant, rich life. That’s inviting. How does the narrow way of Jesus lead us to the sort of fullness he promises?    In my first interview of the Fall season, I’m glad to be able to share a co...

Long gone are the days when I have the energy to put on any pretense when I talk with God. This has been a welcome and freeing change in my prayer life.    At this point in my journey, it is much more life-giving to simply declare the way things are, rather than trying to tidy up my mess and present it in a nice, neat package.   If I’m mad, sad, joyous or frustrated, God already knows, and so I am...

Over the summer, Gem and I are sharing some replays of our podcast we’re calling “Unhurried Favorites.” Today I’m sharing a conversation I had with two friends, Matt and Darrell, about the difference between “working for God” and “working with God.” It is among our most downloaded episodes.  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio....

Over the summer, we are offering some episodes of our podcast we’re calling “Unhurried Favorites.” Today I’m sharing my interview with Suzanne Stabile. When we aired it last time, it was only a snippet of our conversation. Well, today, you can listen to it in it’s entirety.   Most of us have no idea how others see or process their experiences. And that can make relationships difficult. Understandi...