Unhurried Living | Helping Christians Rest Deeper & Lead Better

Have we become so focused on living well in this world that we’ve forgotten the unseen world to which we ultimately belong? In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling welcomes pastor and author Brian Zahnd for a conversation about his new book, Unseen Existences: Of Heaven, Earth, and the Divine Mystery in All Things. Brian suggests that in our efforts to make Christianity relevant to the concerns of this world, we’ve sometimes lost sight of heaven. But heaven is more than a destination after death. It is a spiritual reality that gives deeper meaning to our lives here and now. Together, Alan and Brian explore what it means to recover a sense of transcendence, why Christian spiritual formation is so much more than self-improvement, and how understanding life as a pilgrimage toward union with God can reshape our everyday experience. They also reflect on Brian’s experiences with long-distance pilgrimage, the importance of wonder, and how remembering heaven can deepen rather than diminish our love for the world. This conversation is an invitation to see beyond the visible, rediscover the mystery of God’s presence, and live today in light of our eternal home. Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website. Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Who are you becoming beneath the surface of your life? We live in a culture that rewards appearing mature, authentic, and put together. But real spiritual transformation is slower and deeper. It asks us to pay attention to the parts of ourselves we might rather avoid and to allow God to form us from the inside out. In this conversation, Gem talks with therapist, spiritual director, and author Chuck DeGroat about his new book, Who You’re Becoming: The Slow and Courageous Work of Cultivating Character in a Narcissistic Age. Together they explore performative authenticity, the pressure to appear more formed than we are, the impact of our attention economy, and what it means to become a more grounded and whole person. They also talk about why spiritual formation can’t be rushed, and how to remain present to others without absorbing their anxiety If you’ve ever felt discouraged by how slowly you seem to be changing, this conversation offers a hopeful invitation: you don’t have to rush your becoming. ______________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We live in a world that can leave us feeling scattered. Our attention goes in one direction, our responsibilities in another, while our minds race ahead into the future or circle back into the past. In this episode, I explore a different way of living: a life increasingly gathered around one Center. Drawing on Eugene Peterson’s reflections on the oneness of God, Joan Chittister’s description of the Benedictine practice of Statio, Bonaventure’s story of Brother Pacificus, and Paul’s vision in Ephesians of becoming a dwelling place for God, we’ll consider what it means to move from fragmentation toward presence and from restlessness toward the peace of Christ. Perhaps an undivided life isn’t something we achieve through greater effort. Perhaps it is something God forms in us as we learn to be where we are, receive the grace of the present moment, and allow our scattered lives to be gathered into his life. Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website. Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if your life isn’t something to rush through, but something to walk through… with intention, awareness, and God’s presence? In this episode, Gem invites you to rediscover the ancient idea of pilgrimage, not as a trip you take, but as a way you live. Drawing from her experience leading pilgrimages in Italy, she shares how the spirit of pilgrimage can reshape your everyday life. You’ll explore simple, grounded practices that help you: Set meaningful intention in your daily life Engage honest self-reflection that leads to love Live open, aware, and willing to God’s invitations Deepen your relationship with God without striving Cultivate presence in a hurried world This is not about adding more to your life. It’s about learning how to walk differently through the life you already have. If you’ve been feeling rushed, disconnected, or spiritually dry, this episode offers a gentle and grounded way forward. ______________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We live in an age of constant distraction. Our bodies may be in one place while our minds race somewhere else, leaving us physically present but mentally and emotionally absent. What might help us recover a more attentive, peaceful way of living with God? In this episode, Alan talks with pastor and author Jay Y. Kim about his new book, The Pace of Peace: Distraction, Attention, and the Gifts of an Examined Life. Drawing on the ancient Ignatian practice of the Examen, Jay describes a path from absence to presence, striving to gratitude, reactivity to reflection, pride and shame to confession, and self-will to trust in God’s will. Together, Alan and Jay explore why peace has a pace, how our attention is shaping the people we are becoming, and why experience alone doesn’t necessarily make us wise. They also talk about the relationship between control and fear, the importance of reflection and discernment, and how the Examen can become more than a spiritual practice at the end of the day. It can help form a more attentive way of living throughout the day. If you find yourself distracted, reactive, or moving too quickly to notice what God is doing in and around you, this conversation offers a gracious invitation to become more present to God, to others, and to your own life. Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website. Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Life rarely unfolds the way we imagined. In those moments, many of us tighten our grip, while pushing, trying or angsting ourselves into stress or unhealth. In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Gem welcomes author and speaker Vivian Mabuni for a thoughtful conversation about surrender, trust, and learning to live with open hands before God. Drawing from her book Open Hands, Willing Heart, Vivian shares honestly about the challenge of saying yes to God in difficult seasons and how deeper peace often emerges not through striving, but through yielding ourselves more fully to his care and leadership. Together they explore: Why control and striving quietly shape our spiritual lives How surrender becomes a pathway to peace and purpose Trusting God when life does not go according to plan The difference between mechanical faith and relational intimacy with God Finding courage and joy in uncertain seasons This conversation offers gentle wisdom for anyone navigating disappointment, transition, anxiety, or the longing to follow Jesus in a more grounded and wholehearted way. If you’ve been carrying pressure, trying to hold everything together, or wondering how to trust God more deeply, this episode will encourage you to loosen your grip and rediscover the freedom of open-handed living. ______________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if the Old Testament law was more spacious than we imagine? In this episode, Alan Fadling explores a surprising question: How much time did God set aside in Israel’s calendar for worship, rest, celebration, and remembrance? Weekly Sabbaths. Annual festivals. New Moon observances. A sabbatical year for the land. Jubilee. Taken together, these rhythms reveal a God who was not forming a people around relentless productivity, but around worship, trust, gratitude, and enoughness. Alan reflects on Israel’s struggle to receive this gift, our own modern “burnout economy,” and the striking connection between Sabbath and freedom from slavery. Perhaps rest is not merely recovery from working too much. Perhaps it is part of the spacious life God intended for us. In this episode: The surprising amount of rest built into Israel’s calendar Why Israel struggled to practice the sabbatical year and Jubilee What Sabbath has to do with freedom from slavery Why our burnout economy makes these ancient rhythms newly relevant How rest becomes an apprenticeship in trusting God What these rhythms might mean for the way we live and lead today “Slaves don’t get Sabbaths. Free people do.” Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website. Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Most of us have experienced teaching that gives us a lot to think about, but doesn’t necessarily change much how we live. In this conversation about spiritual formation and Christian leadership, Alan and Gem explore why transformation rarely comes through information alone. Through their years leading retreats, workshops, and the PACE leadership cohort at Unhurried Living, they have discovered that growth often happens in quieter ways. It unfolds as people learn to listen to God, reflect on their lives, and share honestly with others. In this episode, they talk about the rhythms that help learning move from the mind into the soul. These include practices like solitude and silence, offering teaching in smaller portions, creating meaningful interaction, allowing a spacious schedule, and paying attention to the dynamics within a group. If you lead retreats, facilitate small groups, serve in ministry, or simply desire a deeper life with God, this conversation offers insight into how thoughtful learning environments can support lasting spiritual growth. You may discover that the way we gather and learn together matters more than we often realize. ______________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does it mean to become an apprentice of Jesus—not just as an individual, but as part of a community shaped by the kingdom of God? In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling is joined by friend and colleague Matt Fogle for a thoughtful conversation with Keas Keasler about his new IVP Academic book, Kingdom Apprenticeship: Dallas Willard’s Formational Theology and Missional Vision. Together they explore Dallas Willard’s understanding of spiritual formation, grace as both pardon and power, the church as a community of discipleship, and what it means for ordinary Christians and ministry leaders to become people who increasingly reflect the life of Christ. Whether you’re a pastor, church leader, or simply longing for deeper transformation, this conversation offers a hopeful vision for becoming apprentices of Jesus in every area of life. In this episode you’ll discover: Why spiritual formation is about more than gaining knowledge Dallas Willard’s vision for grace, discipleship, and transformation How the church becomes a “school of life” where people learn to live in God’s kingdom Why formation is both deeply personal and profoundly communal Practical encouragement for pastors and ministry leaders seeking lasting spiritual growth Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website. Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Why can two people experience the same conversation, meeting, or problem so differently? In this episode, Gem talks with Enneagram teacher, management consultant, and executive coach Joey Stabile Schewee, author of When Working Together Doesn’t Work, about what’s happening beneath our behavior and why understanding how we process the world can transform our relationships. Joey explores the Enneagram’s three Processing Centers: Doing, Feeling, and Thinking, including what she calls the “processing divide.” She also unpacks the three stances, Independent, Responsive, and Solitary, and how they influence our relationship with time, our reference point, and the ways we engage with others. Then Joey walks through all nine Enneagram types, offering a brief, accessible description of each and helpful clues for recognizing your own type. Whether you’re new to the Enneagram or have been using it for years, this conversation offers practical insight for greater self-awareness, healthier communication, and more gracious relationships at work and beyond. Connect with Joey on IG @enneagramparents ______________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Over the years, more than one person has described the ministry of Unhurried Living as prophetic. For a long time, I wasn’t quite sure what to do with that assessment. In this episode, I reflect on insights from Eugene Peterson’s The Jesus Way and an observation from recovery historian Ernest Kurtz that helped me see prophetic ministry in a new light. We often remember the dramatic moments of prophets like Elijah, Jeremiah, and John the Baptist. But what if their hidden seasons were just as important as their public ones? What if the margins, rather than the center, are where God does some of his deepest work? Together we’ll explore: Why prophets are often formed in hidden places What life on the margins can teach us about God How solitude helps us resist the assumptions of our culture Why weakness and dependence are central to spiritual formation How an unhurried life can quietly challenge our culture’s definitions of success Whether you’re leading, serving, recovering, or simply seeking a deeper life with God, this reflection offers an invitation to rediscover the living center around which all of life is meant to turn. Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website. Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Gem reflects on a childhood memory of dandelions and clover to explore a deeper question: how do we decide what is a weed and what is a flower in our lives? Gem considers how interruptions, disappointments, and detours may actually be opportunities for spiritual growth and fullness of being. If you are longing for deeper Christian spiritual formation, a more peaceful response to life’s disruptions, and a fresh perspective on what feels unwanted, this conversation will guide you toward a more spacious and grace-filled way of living. ______________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

How do leaders remain faithful, fruitful, and grounded over the long haul? In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling sits down with Eric Geiger, Senior Pastor of Mariners Church and author of The Rooted Leader, to explore what it means to cultivate deep roots as a leader. Drawing from the life of Nehemiah, Eric shares why leadership failures rarely happen overnight, what causes leaders to drift from their deepest convictions, and how healthy rhythms help leaders remain steady through seasons of pressure, challenge, and change. Together, Alan and Eric discuss the hidden work of leadership, the importance of tending our inner lives, and why lasting fruitfulness grows from roots that are nourished over time. Whether you lead a church, nonprofit, business, team, or family, this conversation offers wisdom for anyone seeking to lead from a place of depth rather than hurry, pressure, or performance. In this episode: Why leaders “topple” What Nehemiah teaches about leadership The connection between roots and fruit Seven rhythms that sustain leaders How to strengthen your leadership from the inside out Resources: The Rooted Leader by Eric Geiger Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website. Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, Gem welcomes Susan Carson for a rich conversation at the intersection of contemplative spirituality, trauma healing, neuroscience, and the Christian mystical tradition. Drawing from the wisdom of Julian of Norwich and insights from interpersonal neurobiology, Susan explores how healing often happens not through striving, fixing, or formulas, but through safe connection, compassionate presence, and co-suffering love. Together they discuss what trauma really is, why the past can continue to shape our present experience, and how healing invites us back toward our true selves. Susan also explains concepts like co-regulation, the nervous system's need for safety, and why being deeply seen and lovingly witnessed can be profoundly restorative. Along the way, they explore contemplative practices of beholding, the self-emptying love of Christ, and what it means to create "noise-free, shame-free, formula-free" spaces where healing can flourish. If you've ever felt exhausted by quick fixes, discouraged by spiritual formulas, or longed for a deeper experience of God's presence in your healing journey, this conversation offers a hopeful and grace-filled vision of wholeness. In this episode you'll learn: What trauma is and how it shapes our experience of life Why safety is essential for healing and transformation The role of co-regulation in emotional and spiritual health What Julian of Norwich teaches us about God's presence Why beholding is central to contemplative healing How neuroscience and spiritual formation complement one another What it means to create noise-free, shame-free, formula-free space for others Guest: Susan Carson is the Founder and Executive Director of Roots & Branches, spiritual director, speaker, and author of A Kenotic Way of Contemplative Healing. Resources Mentioned: A Kenotic Way of Contemplative Healing by Susan Carson Julian of Norwich Stephen Porges Bonnie Badenoch ______________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if your morning didn’t begin with hurry, but with holy attention? In this Unhurried Living favorite, Alan Fadling shares how he begins his day with God through simple, grounded rhythms that open space for presence, listening, and grace. What began years ago as a “quiet time” has matured into something more relational—a daily meeting with the living God. In this episode, Alan walks through his morning flow, including silence, Scripture, singing the psalms, prayer for others, and reading spiritual classics like The Philokalia. These practices are not about performance or pressure. They are invitations—ways of remembering God, receiving his love, and entering the day rooted in peace rather than driven by urgency. Resources mentioned: The New Coverdale Psalter(Anglican House Publishers) YouTube video aboutThe New Coverdale Psalter An Unhurried Life An Unhurried Leader Hold That Thought Whether you are building a new rhythm or rediscovering an old one, this episode offers a gentle vision for beginning your day with God as a friend. Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website. Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Gem reflects on the powerful story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 and what it reveals about trust, surrender, and spiritual growth. What happens when the thing you long for most feels at risk? How do you trust God when disappointment threatens your peace? Through Scripture and a deeply personal story of infertility and waiting, Gem explores how faith matures when we release our deepest desires into God’s care. If you are navigating unanswered prayer, wrestling with surrender, or seeking a deeper trust in God, this episode will meet you there. ______________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if the Holy Spirit is not distant or confusing—but closer than you think? In this replay episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling sits down with pastor and author Tyler Staton to explore what it means to grow in discernment and recognize God’s voice through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Drawing from Tyler’s book The Familiar Stranger, this conversation invites us beyond ideas about God into a lived, relational experience with him. Many leaders sense a gap between what Scripture describes about the Spirit’s power and what they experience in daily life. Together, Alan and Tyler gently explore how that gap can begin to close—not through striving, but through growing familiarity with God’s voice, learning to discern what is truly from him, and opening ourselves to a more vibrant, Spirit-led life. Whether you feel curious, uncertain, or quietly hungry for more, this conversation offers a hopeful path forward. Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website. Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does it really mean to become the best version of yourself in God? In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Gem Fadling sits down with therapist and bestselling author Dr. Alison Cook to talk about Christian boundaries, finding your voice, healing trauma, and facing emotional pain with faith. Dr. Alison shares a deeply personal story that shaped her book The Best of You, and we explore why so many Christian women struggle to recognize their needs, speak up in relationships, and set healthy boundaries without guilt. We also look at how Jesus modeled a strong sense of self, and why facing your pain is essential to spiritual growth and emotional healing. If you’ve ever wondered: Is it selfish to focus on my needs? How do I set boundaries as a Christian? Why is it so hard to use my voice? How do I heal from past wounds with God? This conversation will encourage you to rest deeper, live fuller, and lead better. _________________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

It’s one thing to understand the kind of leadership that helps people flourish. It’s another thing to sustain it—especially over time. In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling continues his reflections on Wendell Berry’s wisdom, turning from the life we cultivate in leadership to the life we must become to sustain it. Drawing from Berry’s insights on character, familiarity, and discipline, Alan explores the deeper work of leadership formation—the kind of inner life that holds steady under pressure and grows through experience. You’ll discover: Why good intentions and knowledge are not enough for lasting leadership How character is formed through everyday choices and responses What your reactions reveal about your inner life How reflection helps you grow in wisdom over time This episode is for pastors, team leaders, and anyone who wants to become the kind of leader who can stay with the work long enough to see it bear fruit. Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website. Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does it mean to enter the final third of life with intention? In this reflective episode, Gem shares about a personal season of reset as she approaches sixty. Through the lens of Christian spiritual formation, she explores four guiding words for her next decade: freedom, meaningful work, rest, and fruitfulness. Together we consider how to navigate midlife transitions, how to embrace aging with hope rather than fear, and how to cooperate with the inward renewal described in 2 Corinthians 4. This episode offers practical action steps for those seeking spiritual growth, clarity, and a more unhurried life in their next season. _________________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.