Transforming Us Podcast

In this Season 3 finale before a podcast sabbatical, host Jess Vangsnes invites us into a vital yet often overlooked pillar of relational wholeness: Rest. Moving from "doing" into "being," Jess shares a personal look at her upcoming pause through early 2027 as she leans into seminary studies and discerns next steps for a call to serve. Before stepping back, Jess offers a guided reflection through...

In Part 2 of this special two-part series, Jessica Vangsnes re-joins Bryan and Rachel Hare of Curate Ministries to dive into the practical framework behind their ongoing doctoral research at Denver Seminary. Bryan and Rachel share the details of their 3-month adaptation of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises designed specifically for married couples, illuminating how a structured container can help s...

What does it truly mean to companion your spouse into a deeper, more intimate life with Christ? In this rich and expansive episode of Transforming Us , host Jessica Vangsnes sits down with Bryan and Rachel Hare—founders of Curate Ministries, trained spiritual directors, and doctoral researchers at Denver Seminary. Together, they invite us to step away from rigid expectations and explore how spirit...

How do we move from simply surviving a chaotic culture to experiencing genuine, deep-soul transformation alongside others? In Part 2 of this beautiful conversation, we dive back in with Kaylene Derksen to unpack the practical roadmap for a changing inner life. If Part 1 was an invitation to stop running, Part 2 is the field guide on what to do when you finally slow down. We map out the vital rhyth...

Can we really find true rest when our internal world feels just as chaotic as the world around us? In Part 1 of this deeply grounding conversation, we sit down with Kaylene Derksen to explore what it actually means to tend to our inner life. As a trauma-informed spiritual director and the President of the Soul Care Institute, Kaylene helps us all move past the frantic pace of modern culture to cul...

In part two of this dual-release conversation, Adam Ormord turns the microphone over to Jess Vangsnes to explore her unique inner landscape. Jess opens up about the foundational relationships that have profoundly shaped her walk with Jesus, focusing heavily on how her marriage has served as a crucible for learning to be truly loved and secure in her identity as the Beloved. They discuss the vital...

Welcome to this special, dual-release episode kicking off a beautiful two-part conversation! In this episode, Adam Ormord of LifePoint Ministries and Jess Vangsnes of Transforming Us Coaching connect over their shared passion for spiritual formation, soul care, and relational connection. Adam shares profound personal stories from his time walking the physical trail of the Camino de Santiago, explo...

Get comfortable—this episode will completely shift how you see your inner world. What if your protective parts aren’t just your personality but sophisticated strategies rooted in survival? Discover how each Enneagram type develops unique, necessary parts that shield their deepest wounds—and how understanding these can unlock your true you. We dive deep into the hidden motivations behind Enneagram...

Unlock the secret to transforming your deepest relational wounds—your attachment style—and finally find the security you’ve been craving. If past hurts, fear of abandonment, or relentless pursuit of love keep you stuck, this episode will shatter those barriers and ignite real change. Imagine understanding how your childhood survival parts—shaped by insecure attachment—fuel your current relationshi...

Most of us are walking around unaware of the inner divisions inside our minds—an endless internal committee of identity jobs, protectors, and hidden parts. But what if you could finally understand these parts not as enemies, but as vital pieces of your journey toward wholeness? This episode peels back the layers to reveal the astonishing truth: beneath our defenses lies a core of divine love, wait...

Most of us are living on autopilot, caught in patterns of protection—believing who we are is tied to the masks we wear. But what if true freedom isn't a distant dream, but a simple choice? In this solo episode with Jess, she peels back the layers of the Enneagram, attachment theory, and parts work—showing you how to wake up, notice your patterns, and step into your real self with power and clarity...

Being a teenager often feels like operating a complex engine without a manual, leaving both kids and parents overwhelmed by unnamed pressures. In this episode of Transforming Us, Jess and Travis explore how the Enneagram serves as that missing guide, moving beyond mere "types" to the heart of teen self-awareness. We discuss how understanding their unique wiring helps teens trade self-criticism for...

Most people associate the Enneagram Six with fear and anxiety — but what if that very fear is a powerful gateway to profound trust and freedom? Rissa Messer, a loyal guardian with a heart for the vulnerable, opens up about her raw, courageous journey from anxiety, grief, and insecurity, to discovering unshakeable security in God's love. In this episode, Rissa shares how her deep love of people and...

In this episode, we dive into the vibrant world of the Enneagram 7, exploring how these adventurous spirits find joy and connection in their relationships. We sit down with relationship expert Christa Hardin, MA, who brings over 20 years of experience in clinical psychology and marriage research to the table. Christa shares insights from her "Glow Theory," explaining the fascinating patterns that...

In this episode, we explore the intersection of Christian spirituality and the Enneagram with spiritual director Marilyn Vancil. The conversation centers on the transformative journey from the Adapted Self—the version of us shaped by external expectations—to the Authentic Self, our true identity as a reflection of God’s image. Marilyn explains that the Enneagram is not a restrictive label but a po...

Have you ever felt like your worth is entirely tied to your last big win or how well you’re "performing" for the people around you? In this episode of Transforming Us , Jess sits down with the incredible Reverend Clare Loughrige to tackle that exact tension. For many of us—especially those who identify with the Enneagram Three—identity can easily get tangled up in what we do rather than who we are...

Today, Jess interviews Katy Beckham. She is a GIS Analyst, biologist, and certified Enneagram coach with two decades of experience. She hosts the We Are All Human Podcast and writes on Substack under the tag We Are All Human, focusing on the intersection of story, faith, and personal growth. Based in South Carolina, Katy is a wife and mother of three who is deeply dedicated to connecting with othe...

In this episode, Jess sits down with her husband, Travis Vangsnes, for an honest and deep-diving conversation into the inner world of an Enneagram 8. As a father of five and a passionate advocate within the foster care system, Travis opens up about the "big energy" that defines the Challenger and the constant internal battle with the Type 8 core lie: the belief that it is not okay to be weak or vu...

In this episode, hosts Tamara and Jess sit down with spiritual director Janine Westlund for a deep dive into the journey of transformation and self-discovery. Janine shares her 15-year Enneagram journey, including the pivotal moment five years ago when she realized her true authentic self as an Enneagram 4. For many Fours, the search for identity is often clouded by a core lie: the belief that the...

What happens when your internal drive for perfection meets a deep-seated fear of disconnection? In this episode, we sit down with Anna to pull back the curtain on the complex internal world of an Enneagram Type One navigating an Anxious-Preoccupied attachment style, as well as working toward security. For many "Ones," the world is a series of things to be fixed, but for Anna, that drive for "right...

A Special Invitation: The Soul Care Companions Cohort 2025 As we launch Season 2, we want to offer you more than just a podcast to listen to—we want to offer you a community to grow with. Today I am just dropping in with this invitation, and we will be sharing our first episode next week with my dear friend Anna Palmer Enneagram 1. Many of the struggles we discuss today—perfectionism, the need for...

The playful spark that started it all often gets buried under life's demands. But what if the key to a healthy, resilient romantic partnership is simply remembering to be friends ? Join Tamara and Jess as they dive into the vital significance of cultivating a rhythm of friendship, play, and laughter within romantic relationships. They discuss why intentional fun and shared adventures aren't just l...

The mental load—that constant, invisible list of organizing, planning, and anticipating—is a leading source of strain in modern relationship dynamics, especially as holiday stress peaks this mental load. In this episode, Jess and Tamara unpack the weight of this unseen emotional labor and why it often falls unevenly, leading to feelings of resentment. Hear why invisible labor creates deep resentme...

Some seasons can often feel like a relationship pressure cooker. In this episode of the Transforming Us podcast, Jess and Tamara tackle the chaos and stress, emphasizing the importance of balancing the need for routines as partners, to maintain relationship satisfaction. They share practical strategies for prioritizing intimacy and connection amidst the holiday hustle. Learn how implementing daily...

Are you tired of repeating the same old immature responses in your relationships? Dive into the transformative world of emotionally mature communication with hosts Tamara and Jess. In this episode, Transforming Communication in Relationships: From Immaturity to Maturity, we give you the tools to ditch reactive, immature communication and embrace a wiser, more secure way of interacting with the peo...