Rise and Form

The more reflective you are, the more effective you are! As we wrap up Season 3 of the Rise and Form Podcast, we want to take a moment to reflect on salient parts of the Fruit of the Spirit focus, exploring how we can weave these some thoghts and values into our daily lives, especially as we approach the holiday season. As we look ahead to 2025, we’re thrilled about what’s coming next! We have some exciting plans that we can't wait to share with you. But until then, don’t forget to join us for our Monday Steep sessions where we’ll continue to offer insights and encouragement. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Your support means the world, and we can’t wait to return in January with Season 4. Until then, let’s keep reflecting on how we can apply the fruits of the Spirit in our lives and strengthen our communities. Stay tuned!

To close out the season on the fruit of the spirit, we have a chat with Dr Sherri Yoder to discuss the fruit of "gentleness". Dr. Sherri Yoder is a former Clinical Psychologist turned executive director of a not for profit; Thriving Thoughts Global, she is a leader in the global community on promoting mental health and challenging cultural narratives on that topic with her podcast, writing, speaking and influence. "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." - Phillipians 4:5.

We chatted with New York Times best selling author and memoir expert Susy Flory. Susy shares her insights on the transformative power of kindness, a crucial fruit of the spirit, and its significant crossover with mental health and the power of our personal and corporate narratives. With over 14 books to her name, including the acclaimed 'Thunder Dog,' Susy discusses the importance of sharing our unique stories for fostering connection, healing, and growth. She emphasizes the importance of being generous and non-judgmental when telling stories. Susy also reflects on her faith journey and how it shapes her work and writing. Tune in to explore how kindness enriches our personal and shared stories, and learn how to yield to the Holy Spirit in the creative process. This episode is filled with wisdom for us all as we as writers, storytellers, and anyone interested in the art of memoir. To connect with Susy's life and work see susyflory.com and westcoastchristianwriters.com.

Galatians 5:22-23:"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Did you miss it? It's right there in the middle; Goodness! Ryan Roemer is a Christian Clinical Psychologist and the perfect guest to help us understand and reflect on the often overlooked fruit of goodness! Goodness is way cooler than we thought and way more crucial to our formation and health than we had previously given it credence to.

Count it all joy to spend some time learning and unlearning what the fruit of joy actually is with our special guest Pastor Bob Johnson, from The Bridge Church Northwest. Bob details the profound, relational nature of joy through personal experiences, scriptural wisdom, and practical spiritual habits. Learn how a deep connection with God, intentional stillness, and long-term faith practices can transform fleeting happiness into enduring joy. Perfect for those seeking to understand and cultivate authentic joy beyond life's circumstances.

Dr. Katherine Thompson, is an Australian senior lecturer in mental health and wellbeing, author and fellow mental health practitioner. Dr. Katherine shares her journey of finding peace in suffering and how and letting go of "the mast" is the beginning of peace. Dr Katherine draws some of her work and thoughts on suffering and peace from theologians sycgh as Jurgen Moltmann and Richard Rohr.  “It's such a helpful thing for people to realize that it's normal human experience if you have pain or suffering, for your mind to literally fill up with the problem. And it gets to the point where you can't see anything except the problem and it doesn't mean that you've got a mental health issue.” - Dr Katherine Thompson.  She delves into her book and research on the role of suffering in spiritual and personal growth and the healing and wisdom that comes from stillness and reflection: “When you're sitting and listening, you're actually letting go of everything, just listening.” You can find her website and books at: https://www.drkatherine.com.au/ Dr Katherine mentioned a few helpful resources including A Richard Rorh book titled “The Naked Now” and another book  “Hinds' Feet on High Places” by Hannah Hurnard. 

Brandon Reynolds is the founder of Into the Deep, a men's ministry that builds Christ-centered community for men and challenges one of the most pervasive problems facing our modern world - isolation. Brandon shares a transformative experience at a justice conference in Portland, Oregon, and how it inspired him to create a space where men can connect, share, and grow in their faith. We discuss what love looks like for men what it is to develop a love for self, family, friends, neighbors and God. Brandon emphasises the importance of having meaningful, long-term relationships and reflects on the vision that God gave him and the practical steps 'Into the Deep' takes to help men overcome isolation, idolatry, and discover their true identity in Christ.

"Self-control is the key that unlocks a life of freedom."  - Kerry Paxton  Kerry Paxton has been singing in church since the age three and has been serving in worship and pastoring roles for over 10 years. As a singer-songwriter, leader, and musician Kerry has walked in the tension of needing to keenly rely on the Holy Spirit to maintain a submitted and surrendered mindset. He is the associate pastor overseeing worship and discipleship ministries at the Bridge Church Northwest in Tualatin, Oregon. He is also Aundrea's husband!! Kerry exudes the idea that Self control is not really about “self” at all, it is about surrender, and self-denial. It is about other, it is about love and community. During this episode Kerry demonstrates honesty, humility and his passion about walking this walk as pastor, husband, father and brother.  "Self-control isn't just restraint; it's empowerment." - Kerry Paxton

Jessica hails from Alaska, and has had a full career in the WNBA as a Power Forward and Center. Jessica won 3 titles with UConn too so she knows about the grit needed to remain steadfast and to bear with ongoing opposition! Now, she’s making waves in marketing at Nike. One of the things that stood out most about Jessica is her love and dedication for Christ and how it reflects in her daily life and interactions. Her life and identity is rooted in Christ alone and this has been a grounding force for her despite incredible resistance. Jessica shares personal stories about her career highs and lows, and how patience has played a pivotal role throughout. Her insights are grounded in faith, emphasizing trust in God's timing and plans. We explored the theme of identity as Jessica touched on the challenges athletes face when transitioning out of their sports careers and how crucial it is to find one's identity in Christ. Her personal journey of discovering who she is beyond basketball was powerful and relatable. We also discussed how important it is to model patience and faith for our children, integrating these values into our everyday lives. Jessica's passion for empowering women and girls through sports and faith is contagious. She encourages us all to find something we're passionate about, to learn from it, and to let it shape our character. Support us at https://www.patreon.com/RiseandForm

To have clarity of thought and intention requires a commitment to honest self reflection and faithfulness to your beliefs and values. Singer-songwriter and Gospel Choir Director, Nena Wallace is our special guest and example of this commitment. Nena shares her life, her testimony and her unflinching (well let's be real, there is always some flinching) testimony of what it is to be lost and scared but to listen to that small still voice and live a life that is faithfully holding on to Jesus' call.From growing up in a church environment with little engagement to experiencing a profound spiritual awakening, Nena's testimony is one of transformation, surrender, and faith. She discusses overcoming deep-seated fears, the importance of yielding to God's will, and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding her life. Nena's story is a testament to the power of faith and the importance of maintaining a strong connection with God through prayer, worship, and consistent grounding in the Word. This episode is a must-listen for worshippers and creatives seeking clarity, purpose, and a deeper relationship with our ever-faithful God. 02:40 Nena's Musical Journey 04:37 Early Church Experiences 06:54 College Years and wrestling with God 09:25 Meeting her husband and Finding Real Faith 11:04 Transformation 18:40 Overcoming Fear and Embracing God's Call 26:37 Renewed Hunger for God 35:46 Surrendering to God 35:57 Understanding Goals and Desires 38:51 The Importance of Honesty 41:41 The Power of the Holy Spirit 43:24 Seeking Deliverance from Fears 46:03 Navigating Life's Challenges 47:50 The Role of Scripture and Prayer https://www.biola.edu/gospel-choir/director

Welcome to Season 3! Dr. Tina shows how wellness doesn’t exist without goodness, without togetherness and being active in your community. If you want to know about flourishing and what things can be in the way of your flourishing, listen up! As a Clinical Psychologist; Dr Tina Armstrong has dedicated her life to understanding how flourishing works and applies this to helping high achieving Black women to enhance the quality of their lives and their communities. Dr. Tina created Living Connected MBS, Inc., to combat the negative health disparities that Black women experience by using an integrated biopsychosocial + spiritual approach to promote wellbeing and flourishing.  “Flourishing entails you not only thriving but that you are experiencing conditions that are conducive to positive mental, physical and spiritual health, a state of vitality and vigorous growth.” -Dr. Tina Armstrong You can find her at https://www.drtinaarmstrong.com/ and on instagram @livingconnectedinc

We are going to be releasing mini-episodes on Monday's called "The Monday Steep" with just Abe and Aundrea. The Monday Steep is where we will be discussing the Rise and Form principles and applying these to our real lives for a bit of Monday inspo. This episode is a peek into that new format and you are invited to be our guest!

If you haven’t heard from or met Hannah Brencher, she is one of those people that uplifts you and refreshes you and simultaneously wakes you out of your slumber with her lifegiving focus! Hannah is an award winning author, speaker and one of our very favorite thinkers on how to practically rise out of habitual patterns and form a life worthy of your call.  Hannah discusses the profound transformation she experienced through her unplugged hours. Struggling with the fear of being alone with her thoughts, she discovered the creativity and peace that came with disconnecting from her phone and embracing stillness. We reflect on the importance of being present, forming habits of stillness, and the spiritual and relational richness that unfolds when we reduce distractions.  Hannah shares insights from her new book “The Unplugged Hours”, emphasizing how intentional living and attention can help us reclaim our time and deepen our relationship to ourselves, our loved one’s, our lives and our Almighty God.  Hannah’s website is fabulous so check it out here: hannahbrenchercreative.com

We are certainly wayfaring beings passing through this life in all it's wonder. Dr. Warren Kinghorn is an expert in psychiatry and theology at Duke University, where he examines the intersection of mental health and Christian theology. We were so excited to meet him! Dr. Kinghorn defines what Mental Health actually is! We probably should do that right?... but surprisingly, it isn't something that we can tie up in a neat bow, don't worry though, it is helpful to hear his thoughts about this. He discusses his book, Wayfaring: A Christian Approach to Mental Health Care, which uses the metaphor of a journey to explore mental health, spiritual formation, and Christian living. The chat will prompt you to consider the significance of understanding your life in the context of relationships, stressors and broader cultural systems, rather than just individual symptoms! Dr. Kinghorn also elaborates on the essential components of mental health, he discusses thoughts about medication, and the need for holistic, accurate care. Warren's book "Wayfaring, A Christian Approach to Mental Health Care" is available here: https://a.co/d/4u9VOQq If you are interested in studying a hybrid Certificate in Theology and Health Care at Duke, take a look here: https://divinity.duke.edu/initiatives/tmc/formation

It's a heartfelt and powerful episode folks. Lara D'Entremont shares her lived experience from her new book 'A Mother Held: Essays on Motherhood and Anxiety.' Lara discusses her own challenges of motherhood, including dealing with parenting twins, autism diagnoses, postpartum depression, and birth trauma. She emphasizes the importance of reaching out for help, finding identity in Christ, and the impact of community support. The conversation also highlights practical advice on being present for your children and the significance of nurturing love over perfectionism.

If you haven't hear of Nijay Gupta, you will be glad that you gave him your time today because it was worth every second to sit with him! His thoughts honestly shaped our thinking and direction on Rise and Form. It's clear that Nijay is a sharp theologian who has particular insights into Pauline theology but he is also just so kindly cool, composed and ridiculously insightful. He is also an award-winning author, blogger, speaker, and New Testament professor at Northern Seminary. Dr. Gupta has authored several influential books, with his latest work 'Strange Religion'. The episode focuses on spiritual formation as the concept of being 'in shape' spiritually and the vital role of relationships and spiritual direction in achieving growth in faith. Perfect for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of spiritual maturity and seeking direction in their spiritual journey.

Exploring Trauma and Post-Traumatic Growth with Dr. Adam Dell. Dr. Dell served as Director of Emotional Wellbeing at the Notre Dame Wellness Center with Premise Health and also served as an Active Duty Psychologist with the United States Air Force. Dr. Dell draws on 20 years of clinical experiences to offer insights and practical solutions with audiences. Dr. Dell shares his insights on trauma, the psychology of behavioral change, and the profound concept of post-traumatic growth. Drawing from his extensive academic background and clinical practice, as well as his personal journey as a father and a thoughtful Christian, Dr. Dell elucidates the complexities of trauma and the pathways to resilience and healing.

A seriously formative and challenging sit-down with Dr. Mandie Shean, Australian Psychologist and Author of a new book called "Turning Points". Dr. Shean shares about her research and personal experiences on resilience, burnout, self-worth and developing a rising mindset! Her book is a summation of 9 years of her research integrated with her own stories. This episode cuts through some of the true-isms to bring an honest and informed perspective on what we need to have in place in our lives to rise from difficulty and adversity. Dr. Shean emphasizes the importance of self-worth, the role of boundaries, and the necessity of addressing both past and current challenges to foster resilience. She also discusses the detrimental effects of a risk-averse society on personal growth and the need for children and adults to face challenges. Dr. Sheen talks about her own experience with burnout, the importance of self-care, and strategies for teaching the body to feel safe again. She shares practical advice on balancing work, dealing with stress, and ensuring personal well-being.

Abe and Andrea have an honest and insightful conversation with JD Peabody, author and founding pastor of New Day Church, about his journey with anxiety and OCD. Jeff shares the impact of vulnerability and faith in managing anxiety, offering a fresh perspective on the Armor of God. The dialogue touches on formative experiences, the power of words, and how leaning into the discomfort can lead to strength and healing. Throughout the discussion, Jeff emphasizes the importance of casting cares on God and viewing anxiety as an opportunity for transformation rather than something to be eradicated.

Steve has 28 years in church leadership, including 16 as a lead pastor. On this ep, Steve shares through his lived experience of leadership anxiety, and offers insights from his new book "The Expectation Gap". Steve dives into how assumptions can block our vision and our faith. He provides practical and hopeful ideas into how to challenge and remove assumptions to get unstuck and thrive in our life of worshipping Jesus. "Assumptions are like a bedrock. They're like a terrorist sleeper cell. They're always there, whether you know that they’re or not, and they’re activating." - Steve Cuss Check out Steve's website here! https://www.stevecusswords.com/ and his amazing new book: https://a.co/d/0bmtcDMR