In a world of self-promotion, self-esteem, and self-worth, is there a place for Christian humility? What can we learn from the monks of old and how they connected humility to love?

Host Geoff Holsclaw welcomes back David Clayton (Spiritual Director and Forensics Behavioral Analyst) to continue our monastic series (Voices from the Kellia), where they talk about how humility for the monk was not just about feeling like a worthless wretch, but about creating space for love for others by receiving God's love for us. 

Geoff and David contrast self-deprecation and “worm theology” with a true humility that cultivates a non-defensive posture open to reality without resentment.

Dive deeper in our new book, Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection, and learn about our trainings and other resources at embodiedfaith.life.

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Cyd and Geoff continue their Lent/wilderness theme by challenging common images of God as stern, aloof, or judgmental and emphasizing instead that God’s face is turned toward us with joy. 

Using the Aaronic blessing (Numbers 6:22–27), they describe two dynamics: “amplification of joy” (God’s face shining upon us) and “returning to joy” (God turning toward us to bring peace), illustrated through parent-infant eye contact and attunement that builds resilience. Join them to remember that God actually likes you!

Dive deeper in our new book, Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection, and learn about our trainings and other resources at embodiedfaith.life.

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• Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort.
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In this new episode, Geoff and Cyd explore joy as a crucial part of practicing Lent, making Lent worthwhile by creating space for a deeper connection with God. They begin with a gratitude practice, and then reflect on Hebrews 12:1–2 and “the joy set before Jesus" as he endured the cross. They link this to wilderness experiences and the concept of spiritual bypassing.

Dive deeper in our new book, Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection, and learn about our trainings and other resources at embodiedfaith.life.

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• Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort.
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In this final Lent episode on Jesus’ temptations, Geoff and Cyd Holsclaw explore the third temptation as an attack on Jesus’ agency—shifting from anxiety-driven hyperactivation to independence-driven deactivation of attachment. They discuss how modern pressures like hustle culture, comparison, and radical self-reliance can pull people toward building “lesser kingdoms” instead of using their agency to love God and others. Jesus refuses Satan’s offer of power and chooses worship and service to God alone, modeling a “self with others” rooted in love as action.

Dive deeper in our new book, Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection, and learn about our trainings and other resources at embodiedfaith.life.

Stay Connected: 

• Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort.
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The Attaching to God podcast continues a three-week Lenten series on the Temptations of Jesus.

This episode reframes Jesus’ second temptation as an attack on his secure attachment to the Father—an attack on FAITH, provoking anxiety and testing whether God is really available. Geoff and Cyd talk about all the different reasons we develop “trust issues” and how they come out in our lives. They define faith as embodied reliance and lived loyalty, they share practical examples, and offer a practical Lenten practice. 

Dive deeper in our new book, Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection, and learn about our trainings and other resources at embodiedfaith.life.

Stay Connected: 

• Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort.
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• Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).

The Attaching to God podcast returns after a break to begin a three-week Lenten series on the Temptations of Jesus. Hosts Cyd and Geoff Holsclaw (co-founders of the Center for Embodied Faith) reframe Jesus’ first temptation as an attack on his secure attachment to the Father—an attack on hope. The hosts connect this to modern anxieties that push people into “protection mode,” explain Jesus’ scripture-based response (“not by bread alone”), define hope as expectant waiting rooted in attachment, and offer a Lenten practice. The next episode will focus on the second temptation as an attack on faith.

Dive deeper in our new book, Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection, and learn about our trainings and other resources at embodiedfaith.life.

Stay Connected: 

• Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort.
• Join the Embodied Faith community to stay connected and get posts, episodes, & resources.
• Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).

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 cynicism, in the seriousness of life today?

We're talking about it. Looking at why joy and love are so connected.

Dive deeper in our new book, Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection, and learn about our trainings and other resources at embodiedfaith.life.

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In this BONUS episode (before season 8 starts), host Geoff Holsclaw starts experimenting with regular guest hosts to dive deeper into certain topics.

This episode sees the return of David Clayton, a spiritual director, supervisor of spiritual directors, and a trained behavior analyst and facilitator of psychological safety. 

David will bring us the "voices from the Kellia"—the monastic "cells" in the heart of the desert. As a twist of sorts, we believe the insights of Christian asceticism and monasticism still speak wisdom into our modern life (even our corporate and business lives). 

This time we focus on the role of spiritual direction, connecting it to friendship, vulnerability, and psychological safety. This episode sets the stage for ongoing discussions with David and promises practical advice for spiritual and personal development.

David Clayton is a Spiritual Director and Supervisor of Directors. He is a trained Behaviour Analyst, and is a Facilitator of Psychological Safety. Learn more at Monos-Collective.

Dive deeper in our new book, Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection, and learn about our trainings and other resources at embodiedfaith.life.

Stay Connected: 

• Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort.
• Join the Embodied Faith community to stay connected and get posts, episodes, & resources.
• Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).

In this episode, hosts Geoff & Cyd Holsclaw talk with Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, founders of Soul Shepherding, and authors of Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God's Great Empathy for You. 

The conversation explores the Gaultiers' journey into psychology and ministry, their insights into empathy and emotional intelligence, and their focus on providing resources for emotional and spiritual health. The discussion also touches on fostering healthy attachment with God and others, stewarding empathy, and the importance of integrating care and guidance in ministry.

And join us for the FREE Attaching to God Summit (Oct. 14-16). Register Now. 

Dive deeper in our new book, Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection, and learn about our trainings and other resources at embodiedfaith.life.

Stay Connected: 

• Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort.
• Join the Embodied Faith community to stay connected and get posts, episodes, & resources.
• Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).

In this special book launch episode, Geoff interviews Summer Joy Gross about why spiritual directors are reading and recommending Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection.

This episode touches on the need to balance between intimacy and independence in spiritual life and the benefits of using attachment theory in understanding one's relationship with God.

Summer has just written a book called, The Emmanuel Promise: Discovering the Security of a Life Held by God,  and you can find out more about her work at her Patreon page. 

Dive deeper in our new book, Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection, and learn about our trainings and other resources at embodiedfaith.life.

Stay Connected: 

• Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort.
• Join the Embodied Faith community to stay connected and get posts, episodes, & resources.
• Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).