Episode 116 Keith Kristich on Closer Than Breath: Reflections on Contemplative Spirituality

In this week’s episode, Keith Kristich from Closer than Breath shares rich wisdom drawn from his experience and knowledge of contemplative spirituality. Link to sign up for the 2023 Centering Prayer Summit ( “Live” January 21-22). You can attend live via Zoom or watch the recordings at your leisure. I did both last year as I found the 2022 even particularly helpful for deepening my own practice and spiritual growth. Early bird pricing until 12/31 and a special bonus registration for those signing up before 12/10.

www.centeringprayersummit.com Bio: Keith Kristich helps people slow down and connect with their true self and God within. Keith is a contemplative teacher, a commissioned presenter of Centering Prayer, and the founder of Closer Than Breath, an online contemplative community rooted in the Christian Contemplative Tradition. Keith's mission is to help people reimagine the Divine, unlearn rigid religion, and see God everywhere. Connecting with Keith: IG: @keithkristich Website: www.closerthanbreath.com Books Recommended by Keith: Keating, Open Mind Open Heart https://amzn.to/3F99XEP Bourgeault, Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening https://amzn.to/3Y5Dec9 De Mello, Awareness https://amzn.to/3Y2FBg2 Frenette, Path of Centering Prayer https://amzn.to/3UB9Asp ​​Brian’s Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Brian Russell’s Books Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ (Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9 Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/ Brian’s Recommended Resources on Centering Prayer: https://www.brianrussellphd.com/post/my-top-ten-favorite-resources-on-centering-prayer Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com Connecting with Brian: Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Twitter: @briandrussell Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

Episode 115 Dr. Massimo Pigliucci on The Quest for Character

In this week's episode, Dr. Massimo Pigliucci returns to the podcast to discuss the ongoing relevance and power of Greco-Roman philosophy to shape our character and way of life in the 21st century. Order Massimo's new book: The Quest for Character: https://amzn.to/3hdvXGt Connect with Dr. Pigliucci Web: https://massimopigliucci.com Twitter: @mpigliucci Books by Massimo A Field Guide to a Happy Life: 53 Brief Lessons for Living https://amzn.to/3ovvhKm A Handbook for New Stoics: how to Thrive in a World Out of Your Control https://amzn.to/39pJZhK How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life https://amzn.to/2YqQTNz How to Life a Good Life: A Guide to Choosing Your Personal Philosophy https://amzn.to/2YkXiKd Nonsense on Stilts: how To Tell Science from Bunk. https://amzn.to/3iU3iD0 Other books by Massimo: https://amzn.to/39qYrWG Brian’s Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Brian Russell’s Books Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ (Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9 Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/ Brian’s Recommended Resources on Centering Prayer: https://www.brianrussellphd.com/post/my-top-ten-favorite-resources-on-centering-prayer Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com Connecting with Brian: Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Twitter: @briandrussell Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support. #stoicism #virtue #character

Episode 114 Brian Russell on Sabbath and the Spiritual Life

In this week’s deep dive conversation, Brian Russell reflects deeply on God's gift of sabbath. He challenges pastors, spiritual leaders and all followers of Jesus to embrace rest as a witness to the world and for the sake of your soul. Brian also shares his own struggles with sabbath keeping. Brian’s Website: www.brianrussellphd.com  Interested in being on the launch team for Astonished by the Word? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com Interested in centering prayer? For resources and invites to free monthly centering prayer gatherings: www.centeringprayerbook.com  Brian Russell’s Books Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ  (Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9  Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/oneboo... Brian’s Recommended Resources on Centering Prayer: https://www.brianrussellphd.com/post/my-top-ten-favorite-resources-on-centering-prayer

Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com  Connecting with Brian: Website: www.brianrussellphd.com  Twitter: @briandrussell Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support. #spiritualformation #sabbath #spirituality

Episode 112: How the Experience of Deconstruction Can Help You Grow

In this week’s deep dive conversation, Brian Russell describes and defends from the Bible the phenomenon and experience of deconstruction. He shares from his personal experience using Scripture, contemplative spirituality, theology and a loving heart to offer a moving and helpful episode for those in seasons of doubt and uncertainty. This episode will also help pastors and spiritually minded persons who seek to support those experiencing deconstruction. Brian’s Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Brian Russell’s Books Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ (Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9 Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/oneboo... Resources Recommended on Today’s Episode: Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation https://amzn.to/3RrQRy6 Gerald May, The Dark Night of the Soul https://amzn.to/3SPjV3o AJ Swoboda, After Doubt https://amzn.to/3rtE1EF Episode 45: AJ Swoboda https://youtu.be/RukKjSyOSkU C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce https://amzn.to/3C2JnvJ Paul Tillich, The Courage to Be https://amzn.to/3US84Dz Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com Connecting with Brian: Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Twitter: @briandrussell Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support. #deconstruction #darknightofthesoul #contemplative

Episode 111 Brian Russell: Seven Mindsets for Creating Opportunities for Growth

\

In this week’s deep dive conversation, Brian Russell shares seven mindsets that have helped to create ongoing opportunities for growth and service. Brian’s Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Brian Russell’s Books Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ (Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9 Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/ Brian’s Recommended Resources on Centering Prayer: https://www.brianrussellphd.com/post/my-top-ten-favorite-resources-on-centering-prayer Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com Connecting with Brian: Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Twitter: @briandrussell Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

Episode 110 Dr Christina Edmondson and Chad Brennan on Faithful Anti Racism

In this week's deep dive, Dr. Christina Edmondson and Chad Brennan talk about their recent book Faithful Antiracism: Moving Past Talk to Systemic Change.

Buy a copy of Faithful Antiracism: https://amzn.to/3wCtqKO

Connect with Christina and Chad:

Christina's Website: http://www.christinaedmondson.com/

Chad's Website: Renew Partnerships https://rjuc.org/

Brian Russell’s Books

Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ

(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9

Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/

Brian’s Recommended Resources on Centering Prayer: https://www.brianrussellphd.com/post/my-top-ten-favorite-resources-on-centering-prayer

Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com

Connecting with Brian:

Website: www.brianrussellphd.com

Twitter: @briandrussell

Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife

Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group?

Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com

Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

#antiracism #spiritualgrowth #spiritualformation

Episode 107 Brian Russell on the Power of Life Changing Questions

In this week’s deep dive, Brian Russell talks about the power of life changing questions. He invites us to think about the questions you’ve asked yourself or others have asked you that have changed the course of your life. He shares some of the pivotal ones that shaped him and offers tips on how to use questions as a means of growing into the person God created you to be. Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com Brian Russell’s Books Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ (Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9 Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/ Connecting with Brian: Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Twitter: @briandrussell Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support. #questions #spiritualgrowth #transformation

Episode 105 – Mark Danzey on On Making "Disciple-Making" Disciples

Mark Danzey, Excecutive Director of Narrow Gate: Equipping for Life, shares a robust vision of creating a culture of disciples who can make disciples of others. Interested in Narrow Gate? www.narrowgateefl.com Connecting with Mark: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-danzey-66328812/ Narrow Gate Equipping for Life. www.NarrowGateEfl.com Recommend Resources for Making Disciples: Robert Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism https://amzn.to/33Gjx0G Dallas Willard, The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus' Essential Teaching on Discipleship https://amzn.to/3yln5n4 Robby Gallaty Replicate: How to Create a Culture of Disciple-Making Right Where You Are https://amzn.to/3uu8Rz4 Greg Ogden, Transforming Discipleship https://amzn.to/3NKftjz Brian Russell’s Information Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com Brian Russell’s Books Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ (Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9 Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/ Connecting with Brian: Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Twitter: @briandrussell Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support. #spiritualgrowth #greatcommission #discipleship

Episode 104 James Bryan Smith on Discovering the Person Jesus Created You To Be

In this week’s deep dive conversation, James Bryan Smith takes us on a deep dive into spiritual formation and the process of discovering the person Jesus created you to be.

Check out James Bryan Smith’s newest release: The Good and Beautiful You: Discovering the Person Jesus Created You To Be (IVP, 2022): https://amzn.to/3bHSUPq 

Check out all of James Bryan’s Smith’s books: https://amzn.to/3bDEm3a 

Connect with James Bryan Smith 

www.Apprenticeinstitute.org 

Bio: Dr. James Bryan Smith is the Dallas Willard Professor of Christian Spiritual Formation at Friends University, in Wichita, Kansas. Jim received his B.A. in Religion and Philosophy at Friends University, his M.Div. at Yale Divinity School, and his D.Min. at Fuller Theological Seminary. Jim has taught at Friends University for over 30 years, teaching primarily in the area of Christian spiritual formation. He is also the Executive Director of The Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation. In addition, Jim is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, and co-founding pastor of Chapel Hill UMC, in Wichita, Kansas, and is currently a teaching pastor at that church. He is also a best-selling author of twelve books, most notably The Apprentice Series (InterVarsity Press), which includes The Good and Beautiful God. He is also one of the original founders, alongside Richard J. Foster and Dallas Willard, of the spiritual renewal ministry, Renovare. James is the host of the Things Above Podcast.

Books recommended by James Bryan Smith

Teresa of Avilla, Interior Castle https://amzn.to/3a03FMi 

Willard, Divine Conspiracy https://amzn.to/3Ajsj5v 

O’Kempis, Imitation of Christ https://amzn.to/3bqmgkX 

Wesley, Sermons https://amzn.to/3xVZ2uI 

Brian Russell’s Information

Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com 

Brian Russell’s Books

Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ

(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9

Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/

Connecting with Brian:

Website: www.brianrussellphd.com

Twitter: @briandrussell

Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife

Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com

Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

Ep #103 How to Create Healthy Spiritual Rhythms for Thriving & Flourishing in Life and Mission

In this week’s deep dive conversation, Brian Russell talks about how to create healthy spiritual rhythms for thriving and flourishing in your life and mission. You will learn five signals that you need to pay attention to in advance of feeling overwhelmed and burned out. Brian will then help you craft a plan for thriving and flourishing for the long haul that fits your personality and context. Information on Brian’s Signature Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors and Spiritually Minded Leaders: www.deepdivespirituality.com Brian Russell’s Books Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ (Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9 Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/oneboo... Connecting with Brian: Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Twitter: @briandrussell Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

Episode 102 Amos Smith on The Contemplative Life– Mysticism and Reflections on Silence and Solitudie

In this week’s episode, Amos Smith shares from his decades of experience in contemplative mysticism. We talk about silence, solitude, and the inner life as well as insights from his latest book (releasing in June 2022): Journey of Holistic Mysticism: Experiencing the Integrated Spirituality of the Quakers.

Amos Smith (D.Min) earned a Bachelor's degree in Comparative Religion from The University of California at Santa Cruz in 1993, a Masters of Divinity from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley in 1998, and a Doctor of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary in 2008. He is a lifelong student of three streams: Progressive Christianity, Contemplative Christianity, and Eastern Mystic Christianity.

Check out his books on Amazon: 

https://amzn.to/39oIxPs 

Connect with Amos Smith:

Twitter: @amossmi

Authors Recommended by Amos:

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, https://amzn.to/3zBxxZX 

Barbara Brown Taylor, Luminous Web: Faith, Science and the Experience of Wonder https://amzn.to/3b4LMMF 

Brian Russell’s Books

Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ

or sign up for information: www.centeringprayerbook.com

(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9

Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/

Connecting with Brian:

Website: www.brianrussellphd.com

Twitter: @briandrussell

Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife

Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors: www.deepdivespirituality.com 

Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com

Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

#contemplativeprayer #mysticism #spiritualformation

Episode 101 Dr Wilfredo Alvarez on Immigration, Communication and Everyday Dirty Work

In this week’s episode, Dr. Wilfredo Alvarez takes us on a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities faced by Latino/a immigrants into the U.S. He shares from some of his research from his latest book Everyday Dirty Work: Invisibility, Communication, and Immigrant Labor. He draws from personal experience as well as from his expertise in communication theory to help us to love our immigrant neighbors more effectively. 

Wilfredo Alvarez, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Communication and Media at Utica University in Utica, New York. His teaching and research focus on communication issues related to social identity (i.e., race, social class, and immigration). Specifically, he is interested in how micro (personal relationships), meso (groups and organizations) and macro-level (popular culture) communication practices (e.g., pervasive discourses of race and gender) are deployed institutionally to create, maintain, and resist systems of oppression, discrimination, and social inequity in U.S. society. He primarily teaches courses in intercultural communication, interpersonal communication, and organizational communication. 

Check out his book Everyday Dirty Work: Invisibility, Communication, and Immigrant Labor

 https://amzn.to/3x1lG5w

Connect with Wilfredo:

Twitter: @AlvarezWilfredo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilfredo-alvarez-ph-d/

Books Recommended by Wilfredo:

Poitier, Measure of a Man https://amzn.to/3ac5w08 

Postman, Disappearance of Childhood https://amzn.to/3z9Ydk0 

Brian Russell’s Info

Connecting with Brian:

Website: www.brianrussellphd.com

Twitter: @briandrussell

Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife

Deep Dive Spirituality Coaching for Pastors: www.deepdivespirituality.com 

Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com

Brian’s Books

Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ

or sign up for information: www.centeringprayerbook.com

(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9

Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/

Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

#immigration #communication