Face to Face Podcast

Welcome to episode 174 of the Face to Face Podcast, hosted by Melinda Wilson and Cathy Little.

We are excited to share with you an in-depth conversation with theologian and professor Chris Green, discussing the interplay between theology and everyday life. Chris Green shares his journey into theology, influenced by scholars like Stanley Hauerwas and Robert Jensen. Our discussion shifts to the role of theology in daily life and the importance of aligning head knowledge with heart experience. Chris also delves into his latest book, 'All Life Comes From Tenderness,' exploring the necessity of sensitivity and tenderness for a fulfilling faith and life. The episode concludes with a teaser for part two and appreciation for the listeners. Tune in for an enriching dialogue on living with authenticity and understanding through theology.

0:03 - Introduction and Welcome

0:54 - Announcements and Updates

3:02 - Introducing Chris Green

3:59 - Chris Green's Journey into Theology

10:25 - The Role of Theology in Daily Life

14:47 - Constructive and Public Theology

24:47 - The Importance of Tenderness

51:15 - Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

In this episode of the Face to Face Podcast, we continue our insightful discussion with Dr. Baxter Kruger. We explore the significance of union with Jesus, practical ways it manifests in daily life, and how to recognize Jesus' presence in everyday actions. Our conversation also highlights upcoming events and courses from the Immanuel Institute that delve deeper into cultivating a closer relationship with Jesus. Dr. Kruger shares profound stories and joyful revelations, emphasizing the importance of embracing one's inherent connection with Jesus and viewing life through the lens of this union.

00:00 Introduction to the Face to Face Podcast

00:28 Upcoming Events and Announcements

02:35 Introduction to Dr. Baxter Kruger

02:45 Understanding Union with Jesus

04:07 Practical Examples of Union

05:04 Jesus' Presence in Daily Life

07:53 The Role of Faith and Delusion

13:57 The True Gospel and Identity

14:22 Jesus' Teachings and Miracles

18:20 The Simplicity of Walking with Jesus

23:03 Final Thoughts and Homework

24:11 Understanding Darkness and Light

24:37 Baby Steps and Love

25:07 Creativity and Divine Gifts

25:37 The Journey of Awakening

27:21 Union and Non-Duality

29:32 Hearing God's Voice

31:02 Facing Pain and Finding Jesus

36:03 The Power of the Gospel

42:13 Resources and Recommendations

46:04 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Join us for an intriguing conversation with theologian, Dr. Baxter Kruger as he delves into theological discussions about the nature of God's love, the significance of the Trinity, and the purpose of creation. He challenges traditional Western Christian doctrines, advocating for a more beautiful gospel centered on love and unity with God. The episode encourages listeners to re-examine their beliefs and embrace a more profound relationship with the Divine

00:00 - 02:14: Introduction and current travels 02:15 - 06:33: Upcoming Immanuel Approach training details 06:34 - 07:40: Background on guest Baxter Kruger 07:41 - 12:00: Kruger's theological discussion on the Trinity and nature of God 12:01 - 16:30: Significance of God's love and purpose of creation 16:31 - 23:49: Jesus' actions and divine submission during the crucifixion 23:50 - 35:12: Interpretation of biblical passages and deeper theological insights 35:13 - 44:30: Faith, repentance, and knowing God intimately 44:31 - 52:45: Challenges to traditional Western Christian doctrines 52:46 - 1:09:10: Experiencing and describing God's love in everyday life 1:09:11 - 1:20:00: Final reflections and invitation to re-listen

Join us for a powerful episode of the Face to Face Podcast as we sit down with Dr. Margaret Nagib, a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience, to explore the integration of faith, psychology, and nervous system healing. Discover how trauma responses shape our lives, why nervous system regulation is foundational for emotional and spiritual health, and practical steps for moving from survival to wholeness.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction 00:29 – Broadcasting from Lake Tahoe & Upcoming Courses 02:38 – Introducing Dr. Margaret Nagib 03:22 – Dr. Margaret's Background: Integrating Faith & Psychology 05:42 – The Evolution of Christian Psychology & Inner Healing 09:35 – Mind, Body, Spirit Integration Explained 13:22 – The Role of the Nervous System in Healing 18:23 – Why Nervous System Work is Trending 21:14 – Understanding Trauma Responses: Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn 24:11 – Real-Life Examples: People-Pleasing & Fawn Response 27:00 – How to Recognize and Shift Out of Trauma Responses 31:00 – Practical Tools for Regulation & Completing the Stress Cycle 35:00 – Recognizing Long-Term Patterns & Building Capacity 39:00 – The Foundation of Nervous System Work

Key Topics:

• The integration of faith and psychology in healing
• How trauma responses (fight, flight, freeze, fawn) show up in daily life
• The importance of nervous system regulation for lasting change
• Practical tools for recognizing and shifting out of survival states
• Dr. Margaret's personal journey and resources

Connect with Dr. Margaret Nagib: Instagram: @margaretnagib Website: thedunamisproject.org

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star review and visit facetofacenetwork.com for more resources!

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Suhail Stephen, exploring how the Enneagram can deepen spiritual formation and self-understanding. We discuss the Enneagram's origins, its nine personality types, and how it helps us recognize both our strengths and areas for growth.

Suhail shares personal insights and practical ways the Enneagram can foster compassion, freedom, and more authentic relationships—with God, others, and ourselves.

Learn More at: writingisprayer.com

00:00 - Welcome & Introduction 00:29 - Show Begins, Guest Introduction 00:55 - Announcements: Dash Away & Trauma Course 01:41 - Transition to Enneagram Topic 01:52 - Suhail on Spirituality & Enneagram 02:14 - Cathy's Enneagram Story 02:58 - Suhail: Enneagram's Impact & History 05:19 - Christian Perspective on Enneagram 08:00 - Suhail's Personal Enneagram Experience 10:32 - Triads & Undercurrents Explained 13:37 - Cathy & Melinda Discuss Their Types 15:13 - Suhail: What the Numbers Mean 16:58 - Triads: Shame, Anxiety, Frustration 18:45 - Compulsions & Avoidances 19:41 - Melinda: Resistance to Labels 21:47 - Suhail: Why Use "Undercurrent" & "Compulsion" 23:28 - Melinda & Cathy's Types Explored 24:39 - Cathy's Leadership & Independence 27:50 - Why Self-Awareness Matters 29:03 - Enneagram for Relationships 31:56 - Final Thoughts & Resources 34:15 - Where to Find Suhail 34:58 - Enneagram: Affirming the Good 35:54 - Closing Remarks 36:07 - Outro & Call to Action 36:27 - End

In this episode of the Face to Face podcast, we engage in a profound conversation with Suhail Stephen, a spiritual director from Manitoba, Canada. We delve into Suhail's multicultural upbringing, his journey into spiritual direction, and the significance of the contemplative Christian tradition. We also discuss practical steps like the Daily Examen and the role of a spiritual director in deepening one's spiritual experience. Suhail shares his personal experiences and insights, making this episode a valuable resource for anyone interested in authentic spiritual growth and connection with God.

00:28 Exciting Announcements and Upcoming Events

01:50 Meet Our Special Guest: Suhail Stephen

06:30 Suhail's Journey and Cultural Experiences

12:54 Exploring Spirituality Across Cultures

22:45 The Path to Spiritual Direction

24:49 Understanding Spiritual Direction

26:02 Personal Journey with God

27:52 First Encounter with Spiritual Direction

28:52 Discovering the Call to Spiritual Direction

30:39 Training and Becoming a Spiritual Director

37:02 The Contemplative Tradition

46:40 Practical Steps for Spiritual Growth

50:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In Part 2 with Jessie Cruickshank, we discuss deeper connections and meaningful relationships through the lens of Identity Formation Theory. Our conversation covers various phases of human and spiritual development from infancy to adulthood, highlighting how our understanding of ourselves and God evolves.

You will be invited to explore phases of growth, the importance of autobiographical memory, and the concept of deconstruction in faith. This rich discussion provides insights for anyone interested in emotional and spiritual maturity.

Learn more at whoology.co.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:28 Upcoming Events and Opportunities

01:03 Immanuel Institute Programs

01:35 Understanding Trauma Course

02:28 Identity Formation Theory: Phases 0 to 1

04:13 Identity Formation Theory: Phase 2

08:57 Identity Formation Theory: Phase 3

13:08 Deconstruction and Faith Transitions

20:15 Phase 4: Owning Your Faith

23:18 Organizational Dynamics and Faith

30:15 Phase 5: The Dark Night of the Soul

40:08 Petty Doctrinal Issues in Modern Faith

40:31 Understanding Phase Five in Spiritual Growth

42:27 The Role of Community in Faith Transitions

43:20 Elder Stage and Teaching Teenagers

44:40 Navigating Spiritual Direction Schools

46:26 Fear and Control in Religion

48:22 Creating Safe Spaces for Questions

50:51 The Journey of Identity Formation

59:53 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

01:04:54 Autobiographical vs. Semantic Memory

E167 - Jessie Cruickshank - Part 1 | Understanding Identity & Faith Development

In this episode, we introduce Jessie Cruickshank, a neuro-ecclesiologist with a background from Harvard. We discuss the concept of identity formation, delving into various phases of human development based on a theory Jessie evolved from Fowler's stages of faith development. The episode covers infancy and toddler stages, emphasizing the importance of naming and identity in the early years. Jessie shares insights on how our experiences shape our perception of self and God. We have compelling conversation on the significance of naming children and how it impacts their identity and faith journey. 00:28 California Vibes and Upcoming Events 01:25 Dash Away and Immanuel Institute Announcements 04:24 Introducing Jessie Cruickshank 05:13 Jessie Cruickshank's Background and Journey 14:32 Neuro Ecclesiology and Organizational Psychology 19:08 The Art of Connection: Sales Techniques and Attunement 21:01 Exploring Identity Formation Theory 22:44 The Journey of Faith Development 24:41 Introducing Identity Formation Theory 27:06 The Role of Caregivers in Spiritual Development 34:13 The Importance of Naming and Identity 37:52 Helping Others Discover Their True Identity 42:31 Conclusion and Next Steps

In this episode, we continue our deep conversation with Australian guest David Tensen. David shares a provocative viewpoint on decentering God from one's life and discusses the symbolic concept of the Trinity as a non-centralized entity. We explore notions of deep spiritual maturity, deconstruction of religious belief systems, and the importance of eldership. The episode further discusses how to experience personal transformation through retreats like Dash Away Weekends and closes with a reflective poem by David. The overarching theme emphasizes the importance of embracing unity with Christ, letting go of dogmatic constructs, and finding freedom in spiritual growth. 00:28 Episode 166: Part Two with David Tensen 01:15 Upcoming Dash Away Weekends Retreat 02:32 David Tensen on Decentering God 04:37 Understanding Union with God 11:31 The Concept of Panentheism 14:07 Deconstruction and Decentering in Faith 19:12 Maturity and Letting Go of Constructs 22:58 Navigating Personal Beliefs and Open-Mindedness 24:47 The Role of Love and Guidance in Healing 25:18 Decentering the Need for Change 26:40 The Impact of Social Media on Judgment and Arguments 29:37 Companioning and Grieving 32:58 Embracing Mystery and Uncertainty in Faith 35:45 The Value of Diverse Perspectives 37:41 Closing Reflections and Poetry 39:47 Final Thoughts and Farewell To learn more about David's work: https://davidtensen.com/

In this episode, we discuss important shifts, including the transition from 'Face to Face Ministries' to 'Face to Face Network'. We had an excellent conversation with David Tensen, an Australian philosopher, teacher, chaplain, and poet, known for his profound insights into eldering and inner healing. David shares his journey through advanced pastoral care, internal healing methods, and his new book, 'Decenter Everything'. The conversation delves into why decentering is essential, especially the critical distinction between centering God versus our construct of God. David also touches on the Life Model's stages of human development, and the urgent need to embrace eldering in a world stuck in adolescent and early adulthood stages. Tune in for part two to explore deeper into the concept of decentering God. 00:32 Exciting Changes and New Beginnings 01:15 Rebranding to Face-to-Face Network 02:05 The Vision and Philosophy Behind the Network 04:16 Challenges with the Term 'Ministries' 06:48 Upcoming Events and Website Changes 07:29 Introducing Our Guest: David Tenson 10:37 David Tenson's Background and Work 22:53 Reflecting on Ministry and Personal Challenges 23:48 Discovering the Life Model 24:35 Experiencing Burnout and Transitioning to Academia 26:55 Writing and Publishing 'The Wrestle' 27:42 Introducing 'Decenter Everything' 28:29 Exploring the Life Model Stages 32:39 The Concept of Eldering 37:57 The Call to Decenter Everything 40:41 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions To learn more about David's work: https://davidtensen.com/