Best Geoff and Cyd Holsclaw Podcasts (2025)

1
102 Redescribing Depression: The antifeeling that is more than sadness (with Dr. John Swinton) 34:47

28d ago34:47

34:47

Is depression a biological and chemical problem? Is it a mental and emotional, or relational problem? Is depression spiritual in nature? As our guest today says, how we describe something is how we see it, and how we see it changes how we respond and act towards it. Dr. John Swinton is Professor in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care and Chair in …

1
101 Forming Leaders and Ministers: Depth, Character, and Spiritual Direction (David Clayton) 46:28

1M ago46:28

46:28

Leaders, pastors, and pioneers of movements are often outward and forward-focused. Often this means leaving the inward life unexplored and ignored. How can leaders tend to the depths within, and how might spiritual directors help in this work? How best can we support and form clergy and leaders? David Clayton is a qualified and experienced Spiritua…

1
100 Attaching to God in the Wild (guest Jeff McMullen) 33:51

1M ago33:51

33:51

What does attaching to God look like in one's personal life, life as a counselor, and life of faith? That's what we are talking about today. Our guest is Jeff (spelling?) McMullen. Jeff is the Executive Director of Life Counseling Center and an Assistant Pastor at Chapelgate Presbyterian Church. As a counselor, he is particularly interested in work…

1
099 Reframing Mental Health: From Fixing a Machine to Fellow Wayfarers (with Dr. Warren Kinghorn) 36:16

2M ago36:16

36:16

While modern psychiatry has improved many patients’ quality of life, it falls short in addressing their relational and spiritual needs? Can we draw on theological wisdom and scientific evidence to reframe our understanding of mental health care? Dr. Warren Kinghorn is a psychiatrist and theological ethicist whose work centers on the role of religio…

1
098 Freedom and Acceptance (Pt. 2) 32:45

2M ago32:45

32:45

"Freedom appears very nearly the only value about which people still agree unanimously," says Jacques Philippe in his little book, Interior Freedom. But how does freedom connect to happiness, love, and our life with God and others? These are the questions this little firecracker of a book examines, and that we talk about in this two-part series. We…

1
097 Confessions of an Amateur Saint (with Mandy Smith) 49:25

3M ago49:25

49:25

Instead of pretending to have it all together or insisting that you’re the problem, do you long to see more Christian leaders be honest about their own faith struggles? What benefit could there be to having a front-row seat to the moments that leaders choose to trust in God, even when it’s hard to believe? Today we have Mandy Smith, pastor and awar…

1
096 The Shape of Joy (with Richard Beck) 31:35

3M ago31:35

31:35

In a world where mental health issues and loneliness are at an all-time high, it’s more important than ever to find ways to cultivate joy, community, and meaning in our lives. But how exactly do you do that? Maybe we need to turn outward rather than inward for answers. That's what we are talking about with Dr. Richard Beck. Dr. Richard Beck is a pr…

1
095 Healing What's Within (with Dr. Chuck DeGroat) 32:04

3M ago32:04

32:04

Like many of us, you carry a weight of buried pain. You feel secretly fractured within. There’s a constant churn of unprocessed feelings of shame, anger, grief, or loneliness. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Chuck DeGroat is the Professor of Counseling and Christian Spirituality and Executive Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Pr…

1
094 Strange Religion and the First Believers (with Nijay Gupta) 34:01

4M ago34:01

34:01

The first Christians were weird. Just how weird is often lost on us today. The first Christians believed unusual things, worshiped God in strange ways, and lived a unique lifestyle. Many in the ancient world saw it as bizarre, even dangerous, but some found this new religion attractive and compelling Today we are interviewing Dr. Nijay K. Gupta. He…

1
093 Why You Haven't Given Up on the Soul If Speaking About the Brain (Jim Wilder) 38:10

4M ago38:10

38:10

Everyone is talking about slowing down, slow food, a slow life. I have friends who host the “Slow Theology” podcast. But is going slow the best to understand the SOUL? (What does that even mean?) Recently, people like Jim Wilder have been specifically accused to talking too much about the brain, and not even about the soul. So much so that some bel…

1
092 Freedom and Acceptance (Pt. 1) 33:10

4M ago33:10

33:10

"Freedom appears very nearly the only value about which people still agree unanimously," says Jacques Philippe in his little book, Interior Freedom. But how does freedom connect to happiness, love, and our life with God and others? These are the questions this little firecracker of a book examines, and that we talk about in this two-part series. We…

1
091 How A Psychologist Came to Believe in Miracles…and More (Book Conversation) 29:43

4M ago29:43

29:43

Geoff and Cyd talk about the impact of reading Why I Believe: A Psychologist's Thoughts on Suffering, Miracles, Science, and Faith, by Dr. Henry Cloud, specifically... the place of miracles and healing in mental health concerns, how encountering God often precedes evidence for God, and, the power of open systems and God at work in the world. From t…

1
090 Risky Play, Fun, and the Life of Faith 22:43

6M ago22:43

22:43

Why do kids climb trees, run really fast, and spin until they fall over? What is the benefit of risky play? And what does that have to do with attaching to God and our spiritual life? In this episode, we look at the research regarding play and how it connects to attaching to God. Baggage Claim: Don't miss the new segment where we finish by claiming…

1
089: Our Attachment Wounds and God's Promise (with Summer Joy Gross) 35:17

8M ago35:17

35:17

Emmanuel—God with us. We have heard this promise of God’s presence. But might our attachment wounds skew, distort, or hinder us from embracing this reality? Do we live as slaves to our attachment strategies rather than as beloved children of God? And how can we learn to do something different in our spiritual lives? Summer Joy Gross is an Anglican …

1
088: Don't Do Nothing about Mental Health in the Church 32:29

9M ago32:29

32:29

There is an innate need in all of us to know that there is something more beautiful than the dark places of the world we live in. After two losses within their community just prior to the 2020 pandemic, St. Andrew Methodist Church in Plano, TX discerned that God was asking them to go on the offense against the darkness of mental illness. This is th…

1
087: Geoff's Second Half of Life "Crisis" and why the new name 34:35

10M ago34:35

34:35

The inaugural episode of season six, and all about "Geoff's Second Half of Life 'Crisis' and why we renamed the podcast" (and note, 'crisis' is in scar quotes). Welcome to Season 6, of what is now called the Attaching to God podcast. We are going to be doing more episodes of just the two of us talking (Cyd and Geoff). But we will also have intervie…

1
086: Non-Toxic Masculinity (with Zachary Wagner) 31:27

12M ago31:27

31:27

The problem of toxic masculinity is much bigger than contemporary expressions of Christianity. Mistreatment of women and men dehumanizing others is a feature of human culture fraught with sin. But the church is called to be salt and light, so how can we foster a non-toxic masculinity? Our guest today is Zachary Wagner, a writer, researcher, and min…

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085: Forming Spiritually Resilient Children (with Dr. Holly Allen) 36:34

1y ago36:34

36:34

Many children today are growing up amid adversity, whether brought on by family difficulties or larger societal crises. All children need to be able to deal with stress, cope with challenges, and persevere through disappointments. While we cannot protect children from all hardships, we can promote healthy development that fosters resilience. Our gu…

1
084: Mental Illness or Spiritual Issue? And how they connect (with Dr. Matthew Stanford) 38:46

1y ago38:46

38:46

Research tells us that when people suffer from a mental health crisis, the first person they turn to for help is not a physician, a psychiatrist, or a social worker, but a pastor, a priest, or a minister. Unfortunately, many church leaders are not trained to recognize mental illness and don’t know when to refer someone to a mental health profession…

1
083: Does God Hate? Or, Making Sense of God's Emotions (with David Lamb) 37:03

1y ago37:03

37:03

Does God hate? Is God emotional? Emotions feel irrational, impulsive, and problematic for God, especially when we think about hate, jealousy, or sorrow. But the truth is the Bible is full of all sorts of stories that express God expressing emotions. This episode focuses particularly on God and the emotion of hate. Our guest is Dr. David Lamb. He is…

1
082: On Getting Out of Bed; Or, on Living with Mental Anguish (with Alan Noble) 33:31

1y ago33:31

33:31

For many people, sorrow, despair, anxiety, and mental illness are everyday experiences. And while we have tremendous advancements in therapy and psychiatry, the burden of living often comes down to some mundane choices, like "Should I still bother to get out of bed?" Dr. Alan Noble joins us to talk about life with mental anguish and his book, On Ge…

1
081: From Therapy, to Trauma, to Attaching to Immanuel (God With Us) with Stephanie Rossing 39:51

1y ago39:51

39:51

How do we help people get their brains back online? Can the Spirit lead us through a process of healing without triggering re-traumatization? And how can we attach more deeply with God? Guest Stephanie Rossing (Licenced Marriage and Family Therapist) talks about her own journey as a therapist, discovering and receiving training in trauma treatments…

1
Is Joy Even More Central Than Love? (Thanksgiving Double Feature) 26:27

1y ago26:27

26:27

(This and the previous episode are part of a special Thanksgiving Double Feature Rewind of past episodes that are good to revisit in the ups and downs of a holiday) What is so important about joy? The great commandment is to love God and others, but is joy even more central than that? Where does joy fit in the landscape of political outrage and cyn…

1
The Psalms as a Guide to Joy, Sadness, and Anger (Thanksgiving Double Feature) 26:27

1y ago26:27

26:27

(This and the next episode are part of a special Thanksgiving Double Feature Rewind of past episodes that are good to revisit in the ups and downs of a holiday) What if the Psalms aren't just old religious poetry, but guideposts for our everyday struggles and wounds? What if the Psalms are a pathway into the presence of God through the all too huma…

1
080: Finding Freedom in Constraint—Reimagining Spiritual Disciplines with Jared Patrick Boyd 36:40

1y ago36:40

36:40

We often think that freedom comes through casting off what controls us, and that we need to find our true selves apart from community. But what if it is the constraints of the spiritual life that set us free? What if it is focused practices in community that lead to the flourishing of individual lives? Today we are talking about finding freedom in …

1
079: Being the Church in an Age of Secular Mysticisms (Dr. Andrew Root) 41:57

1y ago41:57

41:57

When atheists want spirituality, how should the church respond? In a secular age offering a buffet of spiritualities, all focused on the self and personal transformation, how is the Christian view similar or different than these alternative pathways? When everyone is spiritual, but few are religious, what is distinctive about following Jesus? And c…

1
078: Formative Spirituality, Agency in the Bible, and Being Human (Dr. Richard Middleton) 35:27

1y ago35:27

35:27

What is spiritual formation? Is that even a very good term for life with and in Jesus? What are we being formed into anyway? Or, maybe we should ask “when” are we being formed? In this episode, we talked with Dr. Richard Middleton about formative spirituality, agency in the Bible, and being human, and how God is always looking for partners to work …

1
077: Why Humility and Hope is Essential for Therapists & Pastors (Dr. Chuck DeGroat) 33:13

1y ago33:13

33:13

What character formation is required for soul care professionals, people like therapists, pastors, or spiritual directors? And what does this mean for everyone who follows Jesus? It is humility and hope, says Dr. Chuck DeGroat. It is doing your work, the work on yourself. Today we talk about how so often (like pastors) therapists in training receiv…

1
076: Bearing God in the Storms of Death and Life (with Marlena Graves) 31:25

1y ago31:25

31:25

Have you ever been tossed around by the storms of life and wondered where God is in all? Or have you wished Jesus would quiet the storms a little quicker and more often? Today we are talking about bearing God in the storms of life. Marlena Graves is the Assistant Professor of Spiritual Formation at Northeastern Seminary in Rochester, NY. She has wr…

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075: Being Still Amid the Distractions and Downtime (with Brian Heasley) 37:55

1+ y ago37:55

37:55

Scripture tells us, “Be still and know that I am God”. But for so many of us, this is so hard. Today’s episode explores downtime, devotions, and distractions as we seek to be with God in our private and public lives. Our guest, Brian Heasley, is a long-term pioneer within the 24-7 prayer movement and serves as the International Prayer Director, he …

1
074: Hope Is The First Dose: A Treatment Plan For Recovering From Trauma (with Dr. Lee Warren, MD) 47:22

1+ y ago47:22

47:22

Is the abundant life as promised in Scripture possible for trauma survivors? Can those who suffer deep tragedy really find wholeness, or happiness, again? Today we are talking with a medical doctor who has walked with many people through trauma and tragedy even as he was walking through it himself. Dr. Lee Warren (MD) is an award-winning author, br…

1
073: Be Kind To Your Attachment Strategy and Nervous System 24:37

1+ y ago24:37

24:37

When reactions shoot out of us that we regret, then what do we do? Do you blame or berate yourself? Do you shame and shout at yourself? Too often we are unkind to ourselves in situations like this. But instead of this, we need to cultivate compassion (and build understanding) for the attachment strategies that have (literally) shaped our nervous sy…

1
072: How Your Attachment Style Shapes Reality (with Dr. Todd Hall) 43:29

1+ y ago43:29

43:29

How can two different people experience the same event differently? Do we see, hear, and even feel the world differently? Are we filtering social and emotional information in different ways? The answer is yes. And this has to do with what Dr. Todd Hall calls attachment filters (or what attachment theory calls "attachment styles"). Dr. Todd Hall is …

1
071: Resourcing the Church for Mental Health (with Laura Howe) 31:12

1+ y ago31:12

31:12

The church is not immune to the growing mental health crisis, certainly not pastors and leaders. And we don’t always know where to get mental health resources for creating resilient individuals and churches. Howe guest today is passionate about bridging that gap. Laura Howe is a clinical mental health social worker, addictions counselor, and projec…

1
070: Exploring a Theology of the Body and Confronting Shame with Beth Felker Jones (Summer Rewind) 33:41

1+ y ago33:41

33:41

(During our Summer Break we are airing important past episodes) We're tackling a topic that treads the tightrope between theology and personal acceptance - body theology and body shame. Why have we turned "your body is a temple" into a shaming mechanism? What if our bodies are the place we meet God? The place through which we glorify God? In this e…

1
069: Leading with & through Emotion: Limbic Resonance, Leadership, and Spirituality with MaryKate Morse (Summer Rewind) 38:28

1+ y ago38:28

38:28

(During our Summer Break we are airing important past episodes) What if the secret to impactful leadership and genuine community connection lies deep within our biological construct? Are emotions and moods contagious, between people and in groups? Why are we unconsciously drawn to certain people and repelled by others? And what does this have to do…

1
068: Exploring Low Anthropology and its Impact on the Human Condition, with David Zahl (Summer Rewind) 36:23

1+ y ago36:23

36:23

(During our Summer Break we are airing important past episodes) We spend our days feeling like we’re the only one with problems, when everyone else has their act together. We feel like other are achieving so much, but we aren’t living up to our potential. What if the answer wasn’t a higher self-esteem, but a lower anthropology? What if instead of e…

1
067 Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters (with Dr. Carmen Joy Imes) 33:31

1+ y ago33:31

33:31

What does it mean to be human? This timeless question proves critical as we seek to understand our purpose, identity, and significance. Amidst the many voices clamoring to shape our understanding of humanity, the Bible reveals important truths related to our human identity and vocation that are critical to the flourishing of all of creation. In thi…

1
Daily Bread with Geoff and Cyd Holsclaw 43:26

1+ y ago43:26

43:26

Join Cyd, Geoff, and Rusty McKie as they discuss generosity, when instability compounds, and how Jesus' joy makes us joyful people. If you or someone you know is in a lean season, Geoff and Cyd remind us that when Jesus gives us what we need that we have enough. Cyd and Geoff Holsclaw are co-founders of Embodied Faith. Cyd is also an integrative co…

1
066 From Division to Connection: Escaping Enemy Mode with Jim Wilder (Summer Rewind) 1:03:43

1+ y ago1:03:43

1:03:43

How do you escape enemy mode? When your brain and body are just against someone (and maybe you don’t even know why). What if one brain state could explain why we stop listening to, talking with, or caring about, other people? What if this brain state reveals why we lose it on people, fall out of love, and traumatize one another? Clinical Psychologi…

1
064 Raising Resilient Kids: Emotional Regulation and the Role of the Church (with Jessica Nagy) 48:00

1+ y ago48:00

48:00

Is it possible to raise kids who are emotionally resilient within the dysfunctional dynamics of abuse, divorce, or shared custody? And how can the church be more supportive for children who have hidden trauma? That's what we are talking about with Jessica Nagy, the founder of Mosaic Motherhood, a community of warrior moms who are navigating co-pare…

1
065 What is Spiritual Formation? (2 Minute Explainer) 2:33

1+ y ago2:33

2:33

Seems like everyone is talking about spiritual formation. But what is it exactly? In this two-minute explainer episode, Dr. Geoff Holsclaw dives into the realm of spiritual formation, and how it is a "process of being conformed to the image of Christ, within the community and trajectory of Christ, for the sake of others. And come study with Cyd and…

1
Better Together with Trisha Taylor and Jim Herrington 49:35

1+ y ago49:35

49:35

Join Trisha Taylor, Jim Herrington, and Rusty McKie as they discuss the complexities of leadership today. Here are a few of the topics that they touch on: • The gift of differences • Combating loneliness as a leader • Navigating polarizing ideas • Surviving getting pulled in multiple directions • How to grow in love • The power of Jesus to unite us…

1
063 What is Relational Neuroscience? The Four E's of Our Identity (2 Minute Explainer) 2:33

1+ y ago2:33

2:33

Ever wondered how your mind, brain-body, and relationships shape your identity? How do experiences become a part of who you are? This two-minute explainer episode delves into the realm of relational neuroscience, a field that embraces our fundamentally social nature and how it influences our neural and relational connections. In it Geoff summarizes…

1
062 How the Fruit of the Spirit are a Foundation of Resiliency (with Michael Sullivant) 35:21

1+ y ago35:21

35:21

What if the Fruits of the Spirit can build a "nest of resiliency" to weather life's trials? What if these fruit were less spiritual and more relational? Join us as we speak with Michael Sullivan, director of relational networks at Life Model Works, who shares his insights on how focusing on LOVE, JOY, and PEACE can transform us into Christ. Togethe…

1
061 The Art of Mentalizing: Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships through Emotional Awareness (with Dr. Lina Ponder) 35:30

1+ y ago35:30

35:30

We've all heard about mindfulness. But what about "mentalization"? We are talking about how this little-known concept helps us understand ourselves (creating more self-compassion), understand others (leading to more empathy), and connect to God. Our guest, Dr. Lina Ponder is a clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst, and spiritual director—so she is p…

1
Discernment with Alison Cook 40:03

1+ y ago40:03

40:03

Join Alison Cook and Rusty as they discuss discernment in the creative process, in difficult seasons of life, and in letting Jesus heal the tender places in your soul. If you’re in a season where you need to make some decisions or simply get oriented to where you actually are, this episode will help you identify and navigate where you’re going. Con…

1
060 Why Discipleship is an Adventure in Transformation (with Jessie Cruickshank) 35:41

1+ y ago35:41

35:41

Jesus told his followers, “Go and make disciples of every nation,” but a lot of us stop before we start—because we feel like we don’t have what it takes. But Jesus didn’t ask spiritual superstars to make disciples. He invited ordinary people into the adventure of following him. Our guest, Jessie Cruickshank, holds an M.Ed. from Harvard in mind, bra…

1
059 The Psalms as a Guide to Joy, Sadness, and Anger (with Dr. David Taylor) 35:44

1+ y ago35:44

35:44

What if the Psalms aren't just old religious poetry, but guideposts for our everyday struggles and wounds? What if the Psalms are a pathway into the presence of God through the all too human emotions of joy, sadness, and even anger? Join Geoff and Cyd Holsclaw for a conversation with David Taylor, associate professor of theology and culture at Full…

1
Planting and Burying with Kari Patterson 47:30

1+ y ago47:30

47:30

Join Kari and Rusty as they discuss the freedom of being mediocre, the contentment that is birthed out of death, and not taking yourself too seriously. Kari's reflections on 6 years of instability will surely encourage you at some point. Connect with Kari on Facebook and Twitter. Check out her work over at https://www.karipatterson.com/. Leading in…

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Geoff And Cyd Holsclaw Podcasts

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