In this season of the Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast, Ruth invites listeners to embark on a unique journey during Advent 2025. Departing from traditional liturgical approaches, we will focus on the overlap between the seasons of Advent and winter, inspired by Marilyn McIntyre's book 'Midwinter Light: Meditations for the Long Season.' Ruth will be joined all through Advent by Marilyn McIntyre, herself. Together they will explore themes such as inner reflection, the significance of silence, and the profound connections between spirituality and the physical season of winter. 

This week, Ruth and Marilyn discuss the importance of recognizing and responding to the invitation for inward focus during this time and the subsequent freedom it can bring. We conclude with practical suggestions for embracing the quiet and contemplative aspects of the season and posing the following questions for reflection: How are you perceiving or sensing the invitation inward?  As you sense or perceive that invitation, do you feel yourself resisting, or are you willing? And finally, do you have any sense at all of what you might be invited to freedom from and freedom to?

Marilyn McEntyre is an author of over 20 books, including Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies (2021) and Speaking Peace in a Climate of Conflict (2020). Her book, What’s in a Phrase? Pausing Where Scripture Gives You Pause won the Christianity Today book award in spirituality. Midwinter Light, reflections on poems for the “long season,” has just been released. A former professor, now writer, writing coach, speaker, and retreat leader, her deepest interests lie in connections between spirituality, language, healing earth, and each other. She teaches regularly for programs at Western Seminary, New College Berkeley, and the Oblate School of Theology.

Mentioned in the Episode:

Music Credit:

Join us for our next Online Oasis—a sacred pause in a busy season. Together we’ll remember Christ’s coming, anticipate his coming again, and open ourselves to the tender ways he is coming to us even now—with light for darkness, peace for turmoil, and hope for despair. Join us this Wednesday, December 3, from 12 to 1pm CST for this Online Oasis, MakingRoom for Advent. The cost is flexible, as it is our hope that everyone who wishes to participate will be able to do so. Register today!

We’re starting a Substack! This will be “a new home for reflection, conversation, and connection with our transforming community.” Our new Substack is called “On the Journey with the Transforming Center,” and it will include thoughtful reflections from Ruth Haley Barton and the Transforming Center team, as well as alumni and friends of the Transforming Center, occasional special video teachings and guided practices, and space to interact with our content and respond with how God is working in your life through the posts. This will also be the new home of all of our podcast patron content! There will be free and paid tiers. We’d love for you to join us over on Substack. (Existing patrons, check Patreon for a special link to provide you with a discounted rate!)

Support the podcast! This season patrons will receive spiritual practices tethered to the lectionary readings to accompany them through Advent. Become a paid member of Substack today to receive these practices and so much more!

The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders.  Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self! Learn more and apply HERE.

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As we wrap up our season on Taming our Technologies: [Spiritual] Practices for a Digital Age, Ruth and Jay delve into the topic of technology’s impact on deep and creative work. They discuss the transformative impact of technology on creativity, productivity, and the ability to perform deep, meaningful work. Jay highlights the distinction between human creativity and artificial intelligence, and Ruth shares personal insights from her writing process, stressing the sacred and divine nature of creative endeavors. Thank you for journeying with us this season as we explored the realities of technology and its impact on various aspects of our lives.

Questions to ponder this week:

 Ask regularly this week, “God, what have you given me to give to others?”

 How in touch am I with the deep work to which God has called me? Am I clear on what the work is for which I've been created and God has prepared for me? 

We’re back for Season 27, titled “Taming our Technologies: [Spiritual] Practices for a Digital Age.” This season we have a special co-host, pastor, author, and podcast host Jay Y. Kim! Jay will be joining Ruth all season long to explore the impact technology is having on our lives with God, our attention span, our parenting, our community, and our creativity. Jay and Ruth will wrestle with their own questions and wonderings about finding balance in using technology in good and helpful ways while also acknowledging its challenges. This season aims to be gracefully thought-provoking, practically helpful, and ultimately hopeful and encouraging.

Jay Kim serves as lead pastor at West Gate Church in the Silicon Valley of California. He's the author of several books including Analog Christian, Analog Church, and Listen, Listen, Speak. Jay also hosts the Digital Examen podcast and much of his work focuses on the intersection of the digital age and spiritual formation. 

Mentioned in the episode:

Analog Church by Jay Y. Kim 

Analog Christian by Jay Y. Kim

Deep Work  by Cal Newport

Music Credit:

Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist

Chasing Butterflies from Music in Solitude

We’re launching our first video series! On October 13 Ways of Praying will be available for purchase! Through reflection, guided silence, and heartfelt teaching, Ruth Haley Barton encourages leaders to move beyond “the honeymoon phase” into deeper levels of intimacy with God. Each video guides you through a different kind of prayer practice, so you can discover the rhythms that resonate with your life and leadership. You can find out more and purchase Ways of Praying HERE. Use the code BUNDLE to save $20 off the cost of the Ways of Praying video bundle.

Support the podcast! This season patrons will receive special bonus episodes that incorporate a spiritual practice to help balance out the technological woes discussed in each episode. Become a patron today by visiting our Patreon page!  

The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders.  Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self! Learn more and apply HERE.

*this post contains affiliate links

In this episode, Ruth and returning guest Jay Kim explore the intersection of technology and community within the church. They discuss the nuances of digital and in-person church experiences, the impact of the pandemic on church attendance and engagement, and the idea that “digital informs and analog transforms.” As always, they end by offering questions to ponder this week as it pertains to technology and community.

Questions to ponder this week:

 What is the one barrier that keeps you from getting up and going and being with a church community? And then when you identify that barrier, is that barrier really worthwhile? 

 In our community, for our community, what is appropriate for digitized delivery, or technological delivery and what must be done in person to be effective?

We’re back for Season 27, titled “Taming our Technologies: [Spiritual] Practices for a Digital Age.” This season we have a special co-host, pastor, author, and podcast host Jay Y. Kim! Jay will be joining Ruth all season long to explore the impact technology is having on our lives with God, our attention span, our parenting, our community, and our creativity. Jay and Ruth will wrestle with their own questions and wonderings about finding balance in using technology in good and helpful ways while also acknowledging its challenges. This season aims to be gracefully thought-provoking, practically helpful, and ultimately hopeful and encouraging.

Jay Kim serves as lead pastor at West Gate Church in the Silicon Valley of California. He's the author of several books including Analog Christian, Analog Church, and Listen, Listen, Speak. Jay also hosts the Digital Examen podcast and much of his work focuses on the intersection of the digital age and spiritual formation. 

Mentioned in the episode:

Analog Church by Jay Y. Kim

Music Credit:

Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist

Tender Moment from Music in Solitude

We’re launching our first video series! On October 13 Ways of Praying will be available for purchase! Through reflection, guided silence, and heartfelt teaching, Ruth Haley Barton encourages leaders to move beyond “the honeymoon phase” into deeper levels of intimacy with God. Each video guides you through a different kind of prayer practice, so you can discover the rhythms that resonate with your life and leadership. 

Support the podcast! This season patrons will receive special bonus episodes that incorporate a spiritual practice to help balance out the technological woes discussed in each episode. Become a patron today by visiting our Patreon page!  

The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders.  Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self! Learn more and apply HERE.

*this post contains affiliate links

This week, Ruth and Jay are joined by producer Colleen to discuss the challenges and strategies of parenting in the digital age. They discuss what they see as the pressing issues right now, how Jay and Colleen are navigating these pressures in their own families, and what Ruth experiences as a grandparent to young people. They also delve into practical advice for setting boundaries and expectations around technology use within families, explore the roles of empathy and community among parents, and consider the church's potential in offering countercultural experiences. Over on Patreon the trio explores, practically, how to invite their families winsomely into a low-tech Sabbath practice.

Questions to ponder this week:

 What is a winsome way that I can create an extended time for delight in my home? 

 What are the most important things I want my kid to know about being a person in the world as it pertains to technology?

 Is there a way that I can be an empathetic, kind voice of support and community for another parent who is going through the same or similar tensions that I'm going through? 

We’re back for Season 27, titled “Taming our Technologies: [Spiritual] Practices for a Digital Age.” This season we have a special co-host, pastor, author, and podcast host Jay Y. Kim! Jay will be joining Ruth all season long to explore the impact technology is having on our lives with God, our attention span, our parenting, our community, and our creativity. Jay and Ruth will wrestle with their own questions and wonderings about finding balance in using technology in good and helpful ways while also acknowledging its challenges. This season aims to be gracefully thought-provoking, practically helpful, and ultimately hopeful and encouraging.

Jay Kim serves as lead pastor at West Gate Church in the Silicon Valley of California. He's the author of several books including Analog Christian, Analog Church, and Listen, Listen, Speak. Jay also hosts the Digital Examen podcast and much of his work focuses on the intersection of the digital age and spiritual formation. 

Mentioned in the episode:

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

Music Credit:

Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist

Grace and Peace from Music in Solitude

On October 8, we will be hosting another full Online Oasis entitled, A Path to Freedom: Moving from the False Self to our True Self in God. In this Online Oasis we will clarify what we mean when referring to the false self and true self, explore the movement from the false self to the true self with reflections on several characters from Scripture, identify key spiritual practices that open us to this grace, and slow down and enter into space for reflection. REGISTER HERE to join us on Wednesday, October 8, from 12:00–1:30 CST for this bit of respite in the middle of your day.

Support the podcast! This season patrons will receive special bonus episodes that incorporate a spiritual practice to help balance out the technological woes discussed in each episode. Become a patron today by visiting our Patreon page!  

The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders.  Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self! Learn more and apply HERE.

*this post contains affiliate links

In this episode, Ruth and Jay dive into the impact of digital technology on our attention spans and mental health. They reflect on personal experiences of technology's pervasive influence and discuss the importance of reclaiming attention through spiritual practices. The conversation explores the implications of multitasking and the mental disorders associated with technology use, as well as how to steward one's attention as a valuable gift from God. 

Questions to ponder this week:

What practices will help me claim and reclaim my own sense of agency over my attention?

What technologies are destructive to me personally?

 Where do I need to “fix my thoughts?”

We’re back for Season 27, titled “Taming our Technologies: [Spiritual] Practices for a Digital Age.” This season we have a special co-host, pastor, author, and podcast host Jay Y. Kim! Jay will be joining Ruth all season long to explore the impact technology is having on our lives with God, our attention span, our parenting, our community, and our creativity. Jay and Ruth will wrestle with their own questions and wonderings about finding balance in using technology in good and helpful ways while also acknowledging its challenges. This season aims to be gracefully thought-provoking, practically helpful, and ultimately hopeful and encouraging.

Jay Kim serves as lead pastor at West Gate Church in the Silicon Valley of California. He's the author of several books including Analog Christian, Analog Church, and Listen, Listen, Speak. Jay also hosts the Digital Examen podcast and much of his work focuses on the intersection of the digital age and spiritual formation. 

Mentioned in the episode:

The Center for Humane Technology

The Social Dilemma (Netflix)

The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck

Invitation to Retreat by Ruth Haley Barton

Deep Work  by Cal Newport

iDisorder by Larry Rosen

Music Credit:

Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist

Tender Moment from Music in Solitude

On October 8, we will be hosting another full Online Oasis entitled, A Path to Freedom: Moving from the False Self to our True Self in God. In this Online Oasis we will clarify what we mean when referring to the false self and true self, explore the movement from the false self to the true self with reflections on several characters from Scripture, identify key spiritual practices that open us to this grace, and slow down and enter into space for reflection. REGISTER HERE to join us on Wednesday, October 8, from 12:00–1:30 CST for this bit of respite in the middle of your day.

Support the podcast! This season patrons will receive special bonus episodes that incorporate a spiritual practice to help balance out the technological woes discussed in each episode. Become a patron today by visiting our Patreon page!  

The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders.  Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self! Learn more and apply HERE.

*this post contains affiliate links

This week, Ruth and Jay delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by technology in our spiritual lives. They discuss the necessity of solitude, silence, and retreat for spiritual formation and explore how digital distractions can hinder these practices. Ruth shares her personal journey and insights into managing technology's role in her spiritual practices, while Jay offers practical strategies for minimizing digital interruptions. They emphasize the importance of intentionality in creating sacred spaces free from technological distractions and offer thought-provoking questions to help listeners assess their relationship with technology and its impact on their spiritual life.

Questions to ponder this week:

Ask yourself, in the presence of God, where am I? 

Am I addicted? Is there any way in which I am a slave or in which I am in bondage to my technologies?

We’re back for Season 27, titled “Taming our Technologies: [Spiritual] Practices for a Digital Age.” This season we have a special co-host, pastor, author, and podcast host Jay Y. Kim! Jay will be joining Ruth all season long to explore the impact technology is having on our lives with God, our attention span, our parenting, our community, and our creativity. Jay and Ruth will wrestle with their own questions and wonderings about finding balance in using technology in good and helpful ways while also acknowledging its challenges. This season aims to be gracefully thought-provoking, practically helpful, and ultimately hopeful and encouraging.

Jay Kim serves as lead pastor at West Gate Church in the Silicon Valley of California. He's the author of several books including Analog Christian, Analog Church, and Listen, Listen, Speak. Jay also hosts the Digital Examen podcast and much of his work focuses on the intersection of the digital age and spiritual formation. 

Mentioned in the episode:

Brick device

Wilderness Time by Emilie Griffin

Music Credit:

Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist

Chasing Butterflies from Music in Solitude

On October 8, we will be hosting another full Online Oasis entitled, A Path to Freedom: Moving from the False Self to our True Self in God. In this Online Oasis we will clarify what we mean when referring to the false self and true self, explore the movement from the false self to the true self with reflections on several characters from Scripture, identify key spiritual practices that open us to this grace, and slow down and enter into space for reflection. REGISTER HERE to join us on Wednesday, October 8, from 12:00–1:30 CST for this bit of respite in the middle of your day.

Support the podcast! This season patrons will receive special bonus episodes that incorporate a spiritual practice to help balance out the technological woes discussed in each episode. Become a patron today by visiting our Patreon page!  

The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders.  Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self! Learn more and apply HERE.

*this post contains affiliate links

We’re back for Season 27, titled “Taming our Technologies: [Spiritual] Practices for a Digital Age.” This season we have a special co-host, pastor, author, and podcast host Jay Y. Kim! Jay will be joining Ruth all season long to explore the impact technology is having on our lives with God, our attention span, our parenting, our community, and our creativity. Jay and Ruth will wrestle with their own questions and wonderings about finding balance in using technology in good and helpful ways while also acknowledging its challenges. This season aims to be gracefully thought-provoking, practically helpful, and ultimately hopeful and encouraging.

In order to dive right in to those big topics, Ruth and Jay are setting up the season with an introductory conversation we are calling “episode 0.” In this episode, Ruth and Jay dive into the topic of taming technology and its intersection with spiritual practices in a digital age. They discuss the complexities and emotional layers of technology's role in spiritual formation, ministry, and personal well-being. Ruth shares her long-standing interest in the subject and how technology has transformed her ministry and personal life. Jay brings his experiences as a pastor in Silicon Valley and shares a touching story about technology's impact on his own family life. Then the two do some definitional work around what exactly we mean by technology this season.

Jay Kim serves as lead pastor at West Gate Church in the Silicon Valley of California. He's the author of several books including Analog Christian, Analog Church, and Listen, Listen, Speak. Jay also hosts the Digital Examen podcast and much of his work focuses on the intersection of the digital age and spiritual formation. 

Mentioned in the episode:

Deep Work  by Cal Newport

Analog Christian by Jay Y. Kim

Analog Church by Jay Y Kim

Music Credit:

Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist

He is Able from The Lord is in Our Midst (Transforming Worship)

On October 8, we will be hosting another full Online Oasis entitled, A Path to Freedom: Moving from the False Self to our True Self in God. In this Online Oasis we will clarify what we mean when referring to the false self and true self, explore the movement from the false self to the true self with reflections on several characters from Scripture, identify key spiritual practices that open us to this grace, and slow down and enter into space for reflection. REGISTER HERE to join us on Wednesday, October 8, from 12:00–1:30 CST for this bit of respite in the middle of your day.

Support the podcast! This season patrons will receive special bonus episodes that incorporate a spiritual practice to help balance out the technological woes discussed in each episode. Become a patron today by visiting our Patreon page!  

The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders.  Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self! Learn more and apply HERE.

*this post contains affiliate links

Hey all! We’re popping into your podcast feeds to share a peek at something we’re doing over on Patreon this summer! We’re calling it the Summer Poetry Fest. Each month Ruth shares a poem that has been particularly significant or meaningful to her life. She shares the context and how God used that poem or what it draws out in her. Then, Ruth offers some reflection questions for the listener to help them dive deeper into the poem and its meaning in their own lives. We conclude each episode with a reflective reading of the poem. These episodes are thoughtful and deep and are great touchpoints for your soul throughout the summer. Today we’re sharing a snippet from the May episode, which looked at the poem The Journey, by Mary Oliver. If you’d like to listen to all of this episode and the rest of our summer podcast series, head over to our Patreon page and sign up to be a member today!

In this special bonus episode Ruth converses with pastor, author, speaker and long time friend, John Ortberg about his new book 'Steps, A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn't Enough.' They explore the intersections between spiritual formation, transformation, and the powerful principles behind the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). John shares his personal journey, insights on profound spiritual practices, and the importance of vulnerability and safety in transformational spaces. Their discussion delves into the crucial role of rigorous self-examination, authentic confession, and the deep, often painful, realization of powerlessness in achieving true spiritual transformation.

Mentioned in this episode:

Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower isn't Enough by John Ortberg

The Dangers of Christian Practice: On Wayward Gifts, Characteristic Damage, and Sin by Lauren F. Winner

Music Credit:

Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist

Anthem from Music in Solitude

Join us for our next Online Oasis! On June 11, we will be hosting a full Online Oasis entitled, "What's Not Working? Transitions in the Life of Prayer."  Whether you're feeling spiritually dry, overwhelmed, or simply longing to connect more deeply with God, this Online Oasis will offer rest, renewal, and practical ways to pray when words are hard to find. AND we will actually pray! REGISTER HERE to join us on Wednesday, June 11, from 12:00–1:30 CST for this bit of respite in the middle of your day.

Are you interested in learning more about Haven, our newest community offering from the Transforming Center? Haven is a community that meets alternately online and in person to create space for leaders to forge a stronger connection between their souls and their leadership. Each gathering (online and in-person) offers spiritual practices that increasingly open us to God over time. This new 18-month community experience will provide more intentional opportunities to engage with a diverse community of believers who are united around Christ. Learn more about dates and how to apply!

Support the podcast! Patrons receive special bonus episodes that explore the season's content more deeply. Become a patron today by visiting our Patreon page!  

The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders.  Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self! Learn more and apply HERE.

*this post contains affiliate links

Christ is risen! Happy Easter Monday, friends. Once again, Ruth invites us to celebrate the Risen Jesus through five powerful post-resurrection encounters. These stories have been shared before, yet they continue to speak. As you listen, step into the story—imagine the wonder, the questions, the joy. May they draw you into His presence today.