Wholehearted Podcast

Unlock the secrets to effective communication and emotional intelligence with us on the Wholehearted Podcast. Ever wondered why teaching assertiveness to young people is so crucial? Together with Shannon White, we unravel the layers of communication styles, from passive to aggressive, and everything in between. With engaging visuals like the wimpy mouse and the angry monster, Shannon offers transformative strategies for tackling everyday challenges, empowering listeners to choose assertiveness over less productive behaviors. Our conversation sheds light on the often-misunderstood realm of passive-aggressive behavior, equipping you with the tools needed for both personal growth and professional success.

Join Shannon White and me, Joel Johnson, as we navigate the intricate world of emotions and relationships. You'll gain insights into the GIFT acronym—Guilt, Inferiority, Fear, and Trauma—helping you identify the roots of anger and use it constructively. We dive into the importance of setting boundaries with assertiveness, not anger, and how breathing techniques can transform stress into a manageable ally. Inspired by John Gottman's "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," we spotlight behaviors that threaten relationships, emphasizing how both men and women can avoid the traps of criticism and defensiveness. This episode is your guide to mastering emotional responses and building stronger, healthier connections.

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Have you ever wondered how a simple book can transform into a breathtaking cinematic experience? Join us on the Wholehearted Podcast as we embark on an extraordinary adventure to bring "The Wholehearted Journey" to the big screen. This episode is brimming with the thrilling announcement of our Kickstarter campaign launching this November, and how you can be a part of this heartfelt project. Picture a scene of profound introspection as I converse with my inner child, with themes that promise transformation and restoration. We are excited to explore the potential of casting an actor from "The Chosen" to portray the pivotal role of Jesus in this story. This incredible project, sparked by a chance encounter with a director inspired by my tale of reconciliation, is just beginning, and you won't want to miss being a part of its inception.

Healing is at the heart of our journey, and we venture into the powerful interplay between faith and overcoming trauma. Reflecting on a pivotal childhood moment, we delve into how divine presence can redefine feelings of abandonment and solitude. By exploring Jesus's unique suffering and resurrection, we offer comfort and solidarity to those navigating their own traumas. For those seeking both intellectual and spiritual growth, resources like Lee Strobel's "Case for Christ" are highlighted. We also discuss the significance of faith-based healing methods such as Alcoholics Anonymous and emphasize the transformative power of forgiveness, particularly when mending father wounds. For listeners ready to take steps toward a more abundant life, Christian counseling emerges as a vital and encouraging option. Join us as we weave personal stories and timeless truths into a tapestry of hope and healing.

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What if the key to overcoming trauma lies not in confronting it directly, but in gently guiding it from the depths of the amygdala to the clarity of the neocortex? Join us as we unravel this intriguing concept with Shannon, who shares her transformative journey through EMDR Therapy and the art of creating a personal "safe place." This fascinating approach does more than just heal old wounds—it opens doors to spiritual and emotional liberation, blending science with the serene wisdom of spirituality. Tune in to discover not just the neuroscience behind EMDR, but how it can help you craft your own sanctuary, free from the weight of painful memories.

As we journey further, imagine breaking free from generational curses using the power of mindfulness and biblical wisdom. Explore how practices like butterfly taps can alleviate daily stress and enrich your spiritual life. We reflect deeply on humanity's universal longing for redemption, drawing from the wisdom of philosophers and biblical narratives. Through meditation and prayer, we invite you to explore the heart's sacred gateway to Eden, a place where solace and divine connection await. Embark on this soulful exploration with us and uncover how the blend of spirituality, science, and mindfulness can guide you back to your own spiritual paradise.

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Get ready to transform your understanding of your very existence. Prepare for a thought-provoking exploration of life's purpose, as we break societal norms and present you with a different perspective - a union with God rather than worldly accomplishments. Join us on this spiritual journey as we comprehend the purpose of pain and make sense of it in the context of Romans 8:28; God uses all for our good, even our struggles.

This episode doesn't stop there, we take a deep dive into the Seven Skills of Jesus, key to cultivating a whole heart. We explore how Jesus interacted with different factions of society, and through his actions taught us how to nurture our divided hearts. We reflect on Jesus' interaction with the woman caught in adultery, engaging with the concept that sin is falling short of perfect love and understanding our identity as God's beloved children is crucial in developing a whole heart.

We also explore the intricacies of relationships and the power of healing. Discussing how self-healing often leads to the healing of our relationships and how changing our core is the key to influencing our partners. We consider how courage and bravery, allow us to confront our past, leading to acceptance, forgiveness, and healing. This episode is brimming with wisdom and insights, ready to guide you in discovering your true purpose and nurturing a wholehearted life.

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START READING/LISTENING TO THE BOOK NOW FREE... @ joeljohnson.org

Ever felt paralyzed by the fear of dreaming too big? Fear not. This episode is your guiding light towards embracing courage, and who better to guide us than Jesus himself? We explore his revolutionary courage as a dangerous truthteller, inviting you to follow him into a deeper understanding of his audacious character. See how he maneuvered life's struggles with unyielding bravery and learn to unpack the connection between courage and a fulfilling relationship with God. 

Struggling to muster the courage to move past your fear and hurt? You're not alone. In this episode, we reveal the secrets to accessing the true source of courage through a relationship with God. You'll learn the power of opening your heart intentionally to God and how that can spark a torrent of courageous living. We expose the strategies and tactics for navigating life fearlessly, just as Jesus did, and how prayer and surrender can aid us in living a life that God has promised, a life that's better and braver. Join us, and let's confront the fear of dreaming big together. Start living courageously today!

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The Wholehearted Journey Appendix - Skill 1: "A Beloved Child" Scriptures and Prayers 


Ever wondered how just 12 minutes of daily prayer could transform your life? We're about to take you on an enlightening journey that reveals the transformative power of prayer and its physiological effects on the brain. Hear the beautiful echoes of Galatians 3:26, Galatians 4:6-7, and Romans 8:16-39 as we introduce you to the profound concept of being God's beloved child, whose thoughts for us outnumber the grains of sand. We'll show you how to create a peaceful space for focused prayer, and declare the truth that we are not slaves, but heirs to an unending inheritance.

Then we'll pull back the veil on the comforting and reassuring power of God's unwavering love for us. We'll guide you through a more intimate connection with Him through prayer, helping you understand and accept yourself as His beloved child. Discover the security this brings, knowing that nothing can separate us from His love, no matter what. We will leave you with the comforting thought of Psalms 139:17-18 - a reminder of His unfathomable love for us, as abundant as grains of sand on the seashore. So, plug in your earphones and let's embark on this life-altering journey together.

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The Wholehearted Journey Book is available on Amazon or joeljohnson.org
Here’s a fact we all need to embrace—everyone on earth has (or will) endure multiple traumatic experiences throughout their lifetime (e.g. the loss of a loved one, betrayal, bullying, a bad break up, church hurt, divorce, etc.) It doesn’t matter where you’re born, your upbringing or your social/economic circumstances, everyone experiences trauma. That’s a fact. The preponderance of psychological research proves this true. And to deny it, is to deny your opportunity to heal from it—become wholehearted—enter into that life, Jesus described as, better than you dreamed (John 10:10 MSG). 

The book of Genesis, not only affirms this reality—that everyone experiences trauma—but also reveals why it is so: "Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made” (Genesis 2:8 NLT).

Human souls were made for Eden. Yes, we were made for that perfect paradise. All of us were designed to be raised by perfect parents—by fathers and mothers fully available to love us, nurture us, mentor us, focus on us, play with us. This unrushed rearing, I’d imagine, might even joyfully take place over the span of several centuries (remember, death wasn't in God's original plan)—until we were fully mature—ready—and had actualized the most authentic version of ourselves—completely whole within, with them and with God.

While humans were made for earth, we were not made for the present state of “this world” (Hebrews 13:14).  Our heart and soul were not made to withstand our present—breakneck—pace, all the human hostility we face and the hurriedness to discover our "purpose"—then produce something purposeful—before we so quickly pass away. No, “this world” is not our home. We were made for Eden.

Life—as we experience it today—is traumatic. We’ve all experience trauma—no matter how severe, or not, we believe it to be. According to Genesis (and psychological research), all of us need mending; all of us need restoration; all of us need to take a wholehearted journey. If this were not true, Jesus would never have needed to come “to bind up the brokenhearted” (Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:8).

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Ever wondered how ancient parables relate to your modern life? Brace yourselves as we unravel a timeless tale of the Prodigal Son, illuminating Jesus' 7th skill - A Brave Sibling. Through this narrative, we identify parallels in our lives, exploring familial dynamics and the potential impact of feelings like betrayal and authority. We decode the characters - the Father's boundless love, the Older Brother's resentment, and the Prodigal Son's return, offering you a fresh perspective on your personal journey.

Venturing ahead, we invite you to welcome back your prodigal parts, those places you were once afraid to embrace. As we delve deeper into Jesus' healing messages, we challenge you to confront the painful stigma associated with these areas. The emphasis is on reintegrating these elements to make our inner family whole again. Drawing connections between these parable roles and the Trinity, we demonstrate how authenticity in these roles can unlock your true potential. Don't miss out on this transformative journey, guaranteed to bring about a profound shift in your understanding of self-love and acceptance.

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“Human beings are wired for survival. As little kids we instinctually place a mask called personality over parts of our authentic self to protect us from harm and make our way in the world. Made up of innate qualities, coping strategies, conditioned reflexes and defense mechanisms, among lots of other things, our personality helps us know and do what we sense is required to please our parents, to fit in and relate well to our friends, to satisfy the expectations of our culture and to get our basic needs met. Over time our adaptive strategies become increasingly complex. They get triggered so predictably, so often and so automatically that we can’t tell where they end and our true natures begin. Ironically, the term personality is derived from the Greek word for mask (persona), reflecting our tendency to confuse the masks we wear with our true selves, even long after the threats of early childhood have passed. Now we no longer have a personality; our personality has us!” said Ian Morgan Cron. In this episode, Joel and Shannon take help you distinguish between the persona ("mask") we all make growing up and the authentic one God created you to be!  This is your moment to rediscover-and reclaim- the authentic you!

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