The Chaplain's Compass

What happens when medicine and spiritual care come together as equal partners?

In this episode of The Chaplain’s Compass, Alice Tremaine and John Betz welcome Chaplain Betty Clark and Dr. Jessica Nutik Zitter, the subjects of the documentary The Chaplain and the Doctor, for a powerful conversation about compassion, collaboration, and the human side of healthcare.

Betty, a supervising and palliative care chaplain, and Jessica, a palliative care physician and award-winning filmmaker, share how their professional partnership evolved into a meaningful friendship and transformed their understanding of patient care.

Together, they explore the often-overlooked role of chaplains in healthcare, the impact of implicit bias and racial disparities, and why listening to patients' stories is essential to providing compassionate, whole-person care. They also discuss the power of documentary filmmaking to challenge assumptions, elevate unheard voices, and inspire change within medical institutions.

Through personal experiences and reflections on their film, Betty and Jessica remind us that healing requires more than treating physical symptoms. It requires recognizing the dignity, humanity, and spiritual needs of every person.

Connect with Chaplain Betty Clark and Dr. Jessica Nutik Zitter:

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Dr. Jessica Nutik Zitter⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@jessicazittermd⁠⁠ 

Documentary: ⁠⁠The Chaplain and the Doctor⁠⁠ 

Learn more: ⁠⁠Reel Medicine Media⁠⁠

Connect with Alice and John:Instagram: @alicetremaine (Alice) | @researchchaplain (John)LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/alicetremaine/⁠ (Alice) | ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/chaplainbetz/⁠ (John)Phone: 502-536-7508

Learn more:Chaplaincy Now: ⁠www.chaplaincynow.com/⁠Association of Professional Chaplains: ⁠www.apchaplains.org/

Spiritual Care Week is more than an opportunity to recognize chaplains. It's a chance to help others understand the essential role spiritual care plays in healing.

In this episode of The Chaplain’s Compass, Alice Tremaine and John Betz welcome Dr. Clyde T. Angel, longtime chaplain, pastoral counselor, former Chief of Chaplain Services at the Indianapolis VA Medical Center, and chair of the Spiritual Care Week Committee for the COMISS Network.

Together, they explore the history and purpose of Spiritual Care Week, the importance of advocating for professional chaplaincy, and this year's theme, Healing Through Presence and Grace.

Drawing from decades of experience in ministry, mental health, and veterans' care, Dr. Angel shares why chaplains must move beyond simply being present in an organization to becoming fully integrated members of the care team. The conversation also examines the importance of research, building relationships with healthcare leadership, and demonstrating the value of spiritual care.

As Spiritual Care Week 2026 takes place October 18–24, this conversation invites chaplains and spiritual care professionals to reflect on how they can advocate for their work, strengthen their professional relationships, and help others recognize the healing power of spiritual care.

Connect with Dr. Clyde T. Angel: 

Spiritual Care Week: www.spiritualcareweek.org 

COMISS Network: www.comissnetwork.org

Connect with Alice and John:

Instagram: @alicetremaine (Alice) | @researchchaplain (John)

Phone: 502-536-7508

Learn more: Chaplaincy Now | Association of Professional Chaplains

AI is already changing healthcare, but what does that mean for a profession built around human presence?

Alice Tremaine and John Betz are joined by Rev. Sheri Winesett Campbell and Rev. Justin Martin, board-certified chaplains, members of the Association of Professional Chaplains Board of Directors, and co-chairs of the APC Ethos Task Force.

Together, they explore the growing role of artificial intelligence in spiritual care and the ethical questions chaplains need to be asking now. From documentation and administrative support to direct patient care, privacy, bias, and the possibility of AI becoming a substitute for human connection, the conversation examines where technology can support chaplaincy and where boundaries may be necessary.

Sheri and Justin also share the work behind Ethos, which stands for Ethical Technology for Human-Oriented Spiritual Care, and APC's efforts to develop practical ethical guidance that can evolve alongside rapidly changing technology.

At the heart of the conversation is a bigger question: How can chaplains embrace useful technology without losing the deeply human presence that defines spiritual care?

Connect with Rev. Sheri Winesett Campbell and Rev. Justin Martin:
Learn more about the Association of Professional Chaplains, the Ethos Task Force, upcoming resources, and APC's work in professional chaplaincy:
www.apchaplains.org

Connect with Alice and John:
Instagram: @alicetremaine (Alice) | @researchchaplain (John)
LinkedIn: Alice Tremaine | John Betz
Phone: 502-536-7508

Learn more: Chaplaincy Now | Association of Professional Chaplains

What happens when your calling begins to evolve?

In this episode of The Chaplain’s Compass, hosts Alice Tremaine and John Betz welcome Alyssa Foll for a thoughtful conversation about career pivots, vocational discernment, and the many ways chaplains can expand their impact beyond traditional bedside care.

Drawing from her journey from healthcare chaplain to Director of Ministry Formation at Ascension Health, Alyssa reflects on how clinical pastoral education shaped her leadership, the difference between education and formation, and why chaplaincy skills like deep listening, discernment, and navigating complexity remain invaluable in leadership settings. 

Together, they explore how burnout and calling can intersect, the challenges of maintaining a pastoral identity in nontraditional roles, and the growing opportunities for chaplains in leadership, ethics, education, coaching, patient experience, conflict resolution, research, and organizational formation. Alyssa also shares practical advice for chaplains considering a career transition, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, networking, storytelling, and trusting that vocation continues to grow throughout every stage of life. 

Whether you're just beginning your chaplaincy journey, discerning a new direction, or looking for fresh inspiration in your current role, this episode offers encouragement to embrace change, honor your gifts, and discover new ways to serve with purpose.

Connect with Alyssa Foll
Follow Alyssa on LinkedIn to learn more about her work in ministry formation, leadership development, and healthcare chaplaincy.

Connect with Alice and John:
Instagram: @alicetremaine (Alice) | @researchchaplain (John)
LinkedIn: Alice Tremaine | John Betz
Phone: 502-536-7508

Learn more: Chaplaincy Now | Association of Professional Chaplains

In this episode of The Chaplain’s Compass, hosts Alice Tremaine and John Betz welcome Daniella Mestyanek Young for a fascinating conversation about cults, coercive leadership, spiritual struggle, and the universal human need for belonging.

Daniella shares her extraordinary journey from growing up in the Children of God movement to becoming a U.S. Army intelligence officer and one of today’s leading voices on cult dynamics and unhealthy group behavior. Drawing from both lived experience and years of research, she explains how high-control environments gain influence, why certainty can be so appealing, and how manipulation often disguises itself as purpose, mission, or community. 

The conversation explores the difference between healthy group cohesion and coercive control, the challenges cult survivors face when learning to trust themselves again, and the ways chaplains can support individuals navigating spiritual deconstruction, identity formation, and major life transitions. Daniella also offers practical insights into recognizing red flags in organizations, understanding the role of self-sacrifice in unhealthy systems, and creating environments where people can safely rediscover their own voice and agency. 

This thought-provoking episode is essential listening for chaplains, caregivers, leaders, and anyone interested in the intersection of faith, psychology, leadership, and human behavior.

Connect with Alice and John:
Instagram: @alicetremaine (Alice) | @researchchaplain (John)
LinkedIn: Alice Tremaine | John Betz
Phone: 502-536-7508

Learn more: Chaplaincy Now | Association of Professional Chaplains

To learn more about Daniella and her work, visit ⁠Knitting Cult Lady⁠.

In this episode of The Chaplain’s Compass, hosts John Betz and Alice Tremaine sit down with Kate Meyer, a chaplain, licensed professional counselor, and prolific author specializing in the intersection of faith and bereavement. Kate describes her vocational path as a journey into "soul work," detailing how she eventually merged her background in ordained ministry with clinical counseling to better support those facing complex losses.

The conversation centers on the idea that grief is neither linear nor predictable. Kate challenges the traditional "stages of grief" framework, proposing instead a model of "waves" that reflects the ebb and flow of human emotion. She discusses the spiritual tension many feel when religious cliches suggest that faith should erase sorrow, and she offers a refreshing perspective on how Scripture—from the lamentations of Joseph to the different ways Jesus met Mary and Martha—actually validates the individual and often messy nature of mourning.

Listeners will find practical wisdom for spiritual care, including techniques like "Psalm-swapping" and grounding exercises that help slow the nervous system. Kate also explains the critical difference between healthy distraction and harmful avoidance, emphasizing that the role of a chaplain is to provide the space and permission for people to sit within their grief until they are ready to move forward. This episode is a deep dive into the necessity of emotional honesty and the healing power of naming both death and non-death losses.

Connect with Alice and John:
Instagram: @alicetremaine (Alice) | @researchchaplain (John)
LinkedIn: Alice Tremaine | John Betz
Phone: 502-536-7508

Learn more: Chaplaincy Now | Association of Professional Chaplains

In this episode of The Chaplain’s Compass, hosts John Betz and Alice Tremaine explore the heart of professional chaplaincy with guests Martha and Michael, two experienced chaplains shaping the future of the field.

They dive into what makes an effective mentor, how to approach board certification with confidence, and why understanding your “why” is key to demonstrating competency. Martha and Michael also share practical strategies for advocating for chaplaincy, communicating value to healthcare leaders, and building meaningful community among peers. From professional coaching to navigating ethical challenges, this conversation is packed with guidance for chaplains at every stage, inspiring bold courage, thoughtful presence, and professional growth.

Connect with Alice and John:
Instagram: @alicetremaine (Alice) | @researchchaplain (John)
LinkedIn: Alice Tremaine | John Betz
Phone: 502-536-7508

Learn more: Chaplaincy Now | Association of Professional Chaplains

Is science enough for total healing? Dr. Alex Lion and Dr. Anastasia Holman reveal how Spiritual Care in Healthcare is the secret to supporting clinical teams and patients in crisis.

Modern medicine often focuses on the cure, but what happens when the goal is healing the whole person? In this episode of The Chaplain’s Compass, hosts Rev. Alice Tremaine and Rev. John Betz explore the "Team-Based Spirituality" model. This revolutionary curriculum moves spiritual care out of the silo of the chaplaincy and integrates it into the daily workflow of physicians, nurses, and interprofessional teams.

By analyzing the Havruta method of collaborative reflection and sharing case studies from pediatric neuro-oncology, our guests prove that spiritual care is a vital resource for preventing clinician burnout and navigating complex medical uncertainty. Whether you are a healthcare leader or a frontline provider, you will learn how to create inclusive spaces that honor every faith background—including atheism—to provide truly comprehensive care.

Upcoming Workshop

Meet the Speakers in New Orleans! Dr. Alex Lion and Reverend Dr. Anastasia Holman will be presenting a hands-on workshop on the Team-Based Spirituality Curriculum at the 2026 APC Conference. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to scale spiritual care in your health system.

Connect with Alice and John on social media:

Instagram: @alicetremaine (Alice) @researchchaplain (John)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicetremaine/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaplainbetz/

Leave us a message at the Chaplain's Compass phone number: 502-536-7508

Learn more about chaplaincy at https://www.chaplaincynow.com/ and the association of professional chaplains at https://www.apchaplains.org/

In this episode, we sit down with Maureen Shelton — ACPE Certified Educator, CBCT instructor, and co-developer of Compassion-Centered Spiritual Health — to uncover the surprising science behind compassion. Together, we explore how CBCT and CCSH transform chaplaincy from “holding space” into an evidence-based clinical intervention. Learn how compassion reshapes language, reduces patient distress, and even affects chaplains’ well-being.
https://compassion.emory.edu/cbct-compassion-training/index.html

https://ccsh.emory.edu/

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0313602

Connect with Alice and John on social media:

Instagram: @alicetremaine (Alice) @researchchaplain (John)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicetremaine/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaplainbetz/

Leave us a message at the Chaplain's Compass phone number: 502-536-7508

Learn more about chaplaincy at https://www.chaplaincynow.com/ and the association of professional chaplains at https://www.apchaplains.org/

In this powerful episode of Chaplain’s Compass, hosts Alice Tremaine and John Betz sit down with Imam Ayman Soliman, a Muslim chaplain whose remarkable story of faith and resilience has drawn national attention. After surviving persecution and imprisonment in Egypt for his journalism during the Arab Spring, Imam Soliman built a new life in the U.S. as a hospital chaplain — until his asylum was suddenly revoked in 2025, landing him in a maximum-security jail for 72 days. From that cell, he ministered to fellow detainees, turning suffering into service. In this deeply moving conversation, Imam Soliman reflects on the miracle of his release, the interfaith solidarity that saved him, and the sacred work of finding meaning, dignity, and hope in the hardest places.

Connect with Alice and John on social media:

Instagram: @alicetremaine (Alice) @researchchaplain (John)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicetremaine/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaplainbetz/

Leave us a message at the Chaplain's Compass phone number: 502-536-7508

Learn more about chaplaincy at https://www.chaplaincynow.com/ and the association of professional chaplains at https://www.apchaplains.org/