Unhurried Living | Helping Christians Rest Deeper & Lead Better

When life feels unsteady, many of us respond by holding tighter, trying harder, and carrying more than we were meant to bear. But Jesus offers a different way.   In this episode, Gem Fadling is joined by Yvette Henry, writer, speaker, and author of Release, Rest, Remain, for a thoughtful conversation about learning to let go, trust God, and stay rooted in his presence when life feels overwhelming.   Drawing from Jesus’ words in John 15, this conversation explores what it means to release the pressure to hold everything together, rest in God’s love, and remain spiritually grounded in the middle of real life. Together, they reflect on spiritual exhaustion, the invitation to abide rather than strive, and how spiritual fruit grows naturally when we stay connected to God.   This episode is for anyone longing for peace, stability, and a deeper sense of trust when life feels uncertain.  *** Yvette is a dynamic writer, speaker, social media influencer, and mom to four children. Alongside her husband, Glen, she co-hosts the hit podcast How Married Are You?! and a thriving YouTube channel that has more than a million followers. She uses her platform to connect and encourage women through honest conversations about lifeʼs challenges.   Yvette has released a book entitled, Release, Rest, Remain, a thirty-day journey for busy women who are longing for peace and joy in the middle of life’s chaos. Rooted in Jesus’ words from John 15, this book gently calls us away from striving and back into abiding, learning how to release what we were never meant to carry, rest in God’s presence, and remain grounded in His love.   ______________________________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does it look like to lead without being quietly driven by anxiety?   In this reflective solo episode, Alan Fadling—author of A Non-Anxious Life—explores what it means to lead from peace rather than from pressure in a world marked by tension, fatigue, and uncertainty. Drawing from Scripture, spiritual formation, and years of working with Christian leaders, Alan invites listeners to consider a deeper, more durable peace—one rooted not in circumstances, but in communion with Christ.   Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety, Alan offers a wiser path: learning to relocate it, so it no longer leads. Along the way, he reflects on why peace is not just a personal virtue, but a public gift leaders offer the people they serve.   Released on the two-year anniversary of A Non-Anxious Life, this episode is an invitation to return to a way of leading marked by trust, presence, and hope—even in troubling times.     Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website.  Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What do we do with the parts of our lives that feel unfinished?    In this episode, Gem reflects on Michelangelo’s unfinished sculptures and offers a hopeful, formational perspective on disappointment, unrealized dreams, and the slow work of inner transformation. This conversation invites listeners to release shame, embrace process, and receive God’s love exactly where they are.  ______________________________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Why do good questions matter more than ever—and how can learning to ask them change the way we live, lead, and relate?   In this episode, Alan talks with J.R. Briggs, founder of Kairos Partnerships and author of The Art of Asking Better Questions (IVP, 2025). J.R. invites us into a life shaped less by quick answers and more by curiosity, wisdom, and deeper connection. He shows how great questions can transform conversations, strengthen relationships, and open us more fully to the work of God.   Together, Alan and J.R. explore how asking better questions can slow us down, deepen our leadership, strengthen our communities, and nurture a more attentive life with God.   In this episode, you’ll discover: Why we’ve grown uncomfortable with questions—and what we lose when we stop asking them How children model the curiosity adults often forget Why Jesus asked more than 300 questions—and what that reveals about spiritual formation How leaders can move from expertise to openness Practical ways to grow into a person who listens well and leads wisely   Resources Mentioned: The Art of Asking Better Questions by J.R. Briggs (IVP, 2025) Learn more at jrbriggs.com   Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website.  Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Your greatest treasure isn’t your career, your possessions, or your achievements — it’s the people God has placed in your life.   In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Gem Fadling talks with Christian Mungai, global movement pastor at Mariners Church, native Kenyan, and co-creator of the influential Rooted discipleship process. Drawing from his African heritage and years of ministry experience, Christian offers a powerful vision for Christian living that puts relationships at the center of our faith.   Discover how valuing people over accomplishments can transform your life, deepen your faith, and strengthen your community. Learn what the American church can gain from the African church’s approach to discipleship, missions, and servant leadership — and how to shift from a results-driven mindset to a relational, Kingdom-focused way of living.   If you’re longing for deeper community, richer relationships, and a faith that truly impacts the world, this conversation will inspire you to see people as your true wealth.   What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why people are your greatest wealth in God’s eyes Lessons from the African church that can transform your faith How the Rooted discipleship process changes lives Practical ways to focus on relationships over results The power of servant leadership in building lasting change   Christian's book is People Are the Wealth.   ______________________________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling reflects on four striking insights from Frederick Faber’s Spiritual Conferences, a classic work of Christian spiritual formation. These timeless passages speak directly into our modern struggle with busyness, pressure, and spiritual exhaustion.   Alan explores the surprising rhythm of the saints who “did few things,” the invitation to savor grace rather than rush past it, the deeper measure of our work in God’s eyes, and the way hurry can cloud our vision of God.   If you long for a more grounded, spacious, and unhurried life with God, this episode offers gentle guidance and a clear path forward.     Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website.  Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, Gem Fadling invites you to rethink the idea of “life balance.” Many of us try to keep every part of life perfectly calibrated, yet still feel overwhelmed and spiritually depleted. Instead of striving for balance, Gem offers a more compassionate and sustainable approach: cultivating a life rhythm shaped by God’s presence.   Through gentle guidance and four reflective questions, she helps you discern what truly matters, where your energy is going, what needs release, and how to build patterns that bring rest and clarity. If you’re longing for a more grounded, peaceful, and spiritually centered way to live, this conversation will meet you right where you are. ______________________________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Why don’t people trust the church anymore—and how can that change?   In this episode, Alan talks with Dr. Eric Mason, founder and lead pastor of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia and author of Rebranding the Church: Restoring the Image of God’s People in the World (Multnomah, 2025). Eric believes that rebranding the church isn’t about polishing its image—it’s about rediscovering its soul.   Drawing on more than three decades of pastoral experience, Eric calls the church to return to the heart of Jesus’ message: loving God, loving people, and embodying the gospel in everyday life. Together, Alan and Eric talk about the church’s credibility crisis, the difference between reputation and reality, and why authentic discipleship is the truest form of rebranding.   They also explore how believers can rebuild trust with their communities, discern truth in an age of false teaching, and create spaces of healing for those wounded by the church. Eric’s message is both prophetic and hopeful—a reminder that God still delights in renewing His people from the inside out.   If you’ve ever felt discouraged by what the church has become, this conversation will rekindle your hope for what the church can be: a people who live the good news they proclaim.   Dr. Eric Mason is founder and lead pastor of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia and president of Thriving, an urban ministry training leaders locally and globally. He’s the author of Woke Church, Manhood Restored, and Urban Apologetics. As well as his latest book, Rebranding the Church.     Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website.  Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

A comforting, formational, year-end episode.   As the year comes to a close, many of us feel pressure to evaluate, wrap up loose ends, or “finish strong.” But maybe there’s another way. In this grace-filled conversation, Alan and Gem explore how to end the year without pushing yourself… and instead rest in the easy yoke of Jesus (Matthew 11:28–30).   Together they unpack Scripture, share lived wisdom, and offer spiritual practices that help you breathe again. If you’re feeling weary, overwhelmed, or unsure how to approach the end of the year, this episode will give you compassion, grounding, and hope.   Download the FREE Year End Reflection Resource to enter 2026 with grace.   Connect with Alan and Gem to learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website.  Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Prayer doesn’t always move in one direction. Sometimes it feels rich and alive; other times, quiet and dry. But what if those ebbs and flows aren’t signs of failure, but signs of growth?   In this episode, Alan Fadling reflects on how prayer matures—not in a straight line, but like the slow, rising tide. Drawing on insights from Leonard Boase’s 1962 classic The Prayer of Faith and the seaside story of pastor and theologian Lee Whiston, Alan explores what it means to stop trying to “bring in the tide” ourselves and instead cooperate with God’s steady work of grace.   You’ll discover why the early sweetness of prayer often gives way to quieter forms of presence, and how grace deepens precisely in those quieter seasons.   In This Episode Why prayer matures through both consolation and desolation How the tide image helps us trust God’s slow work What Lee Whiston’s experience reveals about surrender and grace How emotional intensity yields to simple awareness of God   You’ll Gain Encouragement when prayer feels quiet or dry A renewed trust in grace’s unhurried rhythm Practical insight for cooperating with, not managing, God’s presence   Resources Mentioned The Prayer of Faith by Leonard Boase An Unhurried Life and An Unhurried Leader by Alan Fadling   Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website.  Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When life feels overwhelming, empathy often becomes the very thing our souls are longing for. In this episode, Gem sits down with Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, founders of Soul Shepherding, to explore the healing power of empathy in the Christian life.   Drawing from their new book Deeply Loved, they share how true empathy helps us trade self-judgment for grace, comfort emotional wounds, release worry, and walk more closely with Jesus. This conversation offers practical guidance through the Four A’s of Empathy, along with compassionate wisdom for becoming more grounded, present, and emotionally healthy.   Whether you’re navigating conflict, longing for deeper relationships, or seeking healing for your soul, this episode invites you into the life-changing reality of being deeply loved.   Drs. Bill and Kristi Gaultiere are the founders of Soul Shepherding. With more than thirty years of counseling and ministry experience, Bill and Kristi have guided thousands of people in the journey toward emotional health and intimacy with Jesus. Their new book, Deeply Loved, is a beautiful, life-giving invitation into the kind of empathy that strengthens relationships, raises our emotional intelligence, and leads us back to the heart of Christ. ______________________________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

True success doesn’t happen overnight. In his new book Gradually Then Suddenly, bestselling author and pastor Mark Batterson reminds us that God is often doing His deepest work slowly—beneath the surface, over time—so that when the breakthrough comes, we’re ready for it. In this conversation, Mark and Alan explore how faithfulness in small, daily choices prepares the way for unexpected moments of transformation. They talk about persistence, conviction, “cathedral thinking,” and how God grows us at what Mark calls the speed of a seed. If you’ve ever wondered whether your quiet obedience still matters, this episode will encourage you to trust that God’s gradual work always leads to sudden grace. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why what looks like “overnight success” is really the fruit of long obedience. How small, consistent actions create a “compound effect” of spiritual growth. What it means to live and lead at the speed of a seed. How to hold a long view of faith—what Mark calls cathedral thinking. Encouragement for weary hearts who feel stuck in slow seasons.   Resources Mentioned: Gradually Then Suddenly by Mark Batterson Learn more at markbatterson.com   Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website.  Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

During the holiday season, we can all feel overwhelmed and stressed. But what do you really need? And what would it look like to engage life with a deeper sense of agency and self-compassion? Today on Unhurried Living Podcast, we are replaying a conversation between Gem and Aundi Kolber as they invites us to embrace the transformative power of kindness toward ourselves. We’ll explore how early experiences shape the way we suppress our needs, why it’s so hard to name and honor what we truly feel, and how practicing softness can actually make us stronger.  In this conversation, you’ll learn: How our past experiences shape the way we engage with our needs and emotions Why self-compassion is a powerful (and often overlooked) tool for transformation A simple prayer or body practice you can use in moments of stress   Join us as we dive deep into what it means to cultivate resilience, trust, and a deeper friendship with God—even in the hard places. ________________________________ Aundi Kolber is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), trauma-informed therapist, and best-selling author of Try Softer and Strong Like Water. With a compassionate and holistic approach, Aundi integrates psychology, faith, and neuroscience to help individuals experience emotional healing and resilience. She is passionate about empowering people to move toward wholeness by learning to honor their needs, trust their inner wisdom, and cultivate a life of deep compassion. Through her writing, speaking, and therapeutic work, Aundi offers a refreshing invitation to wholeness—one that prioritizes gentleness, self-compassion, and deep connection with God. ______________________________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if your morning didn’t begin with hurry, but with holy attention? In this episode, Alan Fadling shares how simple, grounded practices help him begin each day in God’s presence.   Over the years, Alan’s early “quiet time” has matured into a rhythm of relationship—an unhurried meeting with the Living God. He describes his morning flow of silence, Scripture reading, singing the psalms, praying for others, and reading spiritual classics like The Philokalia.   You’ll hear how these rhythms have become daily invitations rather than obligations—ways of remembering God, listening for his voice, and resting in love before the day begins.   Resources mentioned: The New Coverdale Psalter(Anglican House Publishers) YouTube video about The New Coverdale Psalter An Unhurried Life An Unhurried Leader   Whether you’re exploring new spiritual rhythms or returning to familiar ones, this episode offers encouragement to meet with God as a friend. Learn how simple practices—quiet, prayer, and Scripture—can nourish your soul and prepare you for the day’s work in a deeply unhurried way.   Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website.  Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What happens when you spend an entire year learning from the life and wisdom of a trusted spiritual mentor? In this conversation, author and spiritual director Lori G. Melton shares her experience walking alongside the insights of Mister Fred Rogers, America’s favorite neighbor.   Drawing from her book Journey with a Giant, Lori invites us into a year-long spiritual practice of choosing a “giant of faith” to learn from. She shares how reflecting on Fred Rogers’ approach to life, faith, and presence helped her slow down, deepen her relationship with God, and gain clarity about her purpose.   Whether you choose Fred Rogers or another spiritual guide, this conversation will inspire you to: Embrace the wisdom of those who have walked with God before you Cultivate habits of presence, patience, and listening Experience steady spiritual growth without striving   If you’ve been feeling spiritually stuck or longing for deeper connection, this episode offers a gentle yet powerful way to take the next step on your faith journey.   About Lori G. Melton:Lori G. Melton is an author, spiritual director, retreat leader, and a member of Hope*Writers. She and her husband, Bryan, are the creators of the Sanctuary Stirrings Podcast and the founders and directors of The Sanctuary at Bear Creek Retreat Center, which serves hundreds of people a year. When she’s not writing, speaking, or welcoming guests, she enjoys spending time with her six children and three grandchildren. ______________________________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if reading could become a spiritual practice—not just for gaining knowledge, but for nourishing your soul?   In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling talks with Jeff Crosby, author of World of Wonders: A Spirituality of Reading, about the formative power of books. Together they explore how stories, poetry, memoir, and even Scripture can shape our hearts, spark wonder, and help us encounter God’s presence in the pages of a book.   In this conversation, you’ll discover: How books can become trusted companions in your spiritual journey Why stories, poetry, and memoir awaken wonder and reshape our hearts Practical ways to cultivate a reading life that nourishes your soul How reading Scripture slowly and reflectively forms us over time   Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website.  Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Every day, we are bombarded with thousands of messages promising happiness, comfort, or even identity if only we buy the right product. But beneath the noise of advertising lies a deeper reality: we are already loved, already chosen, already whole in Christ. In this episode, Gem Fadling shines a light on how consumer slogans shape our sense of self and offers a way back to the truth of God’s word.  This conversation explores the difference between the “false self” and the “true self,” and invites us to embrace the pace of grace rather than the rush of consumption.  Listen in to learn:  How advertising shapes our view of identity and worth  The difference between the “imposter self” and the “true self”  How scripture re-anchors us in God’s love and presence  ______________________________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Where do you turn when your soul feels thirsty? In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling reflects on Psalm 87:7, “All my fresh springs are in You.” We explore how God alone is our true source of renewal, even when we’re tempted to drink from counterfeit springs like busyness, control, or distraction. Drawing on the imagery of living water and daily bread, Alan shares how this one line of scripture can become a simple, grounding prayer to carry through your day. Discover how God’s presence can be a hidden well of strength in your work, relationships, and everyday life. If you’ve ever felt spiritually dry, restless, or weary, this conversation will help you return to the fresh, unending stream of God’s life in you. What you’ll learn: Why Psalm 87:7 offers such a powerful picture of spiritual renewal• How to recognize “counterfeit springs” that leave us empty• Practical ways to carry scripture into the ordinary moments of your day• How prayer, silence, and Sabbath help us drink deeply from God’s presence Listen in and discover how God can be your fresh spring of life, energy, and joy.   Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website.  Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Hospitality is more than setting a table or opening your home. It’s a posture of the heart—a way of seeing and responding to the people God places in your path. True hospitality flows from God’s generous welcome to us and creates spaces of belonging wherever we go. In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Gem Fadling talks with Laura Murray, author of Becoming a Person of Welcome, about moving from performance-based hosting to a transformed life of welcome. Drawing from her Armenian heritage, years in church leadership, and a rich theology of God’s hospitality, Laura offers practical steps for cultivating authentic connection, listening deeply, setting healthy boundaries, and leading others into a lifestyle of welcome. Whether you’re a ministry leader, a community builder, or simply someone longing for relationships rooted in grace, this conversation will inspire you to carry God’s presence into everyday moments. Listen in to learn: Why hospitality is a posture, not a program How to reflect God’s welcome in daily life Ways to create authentic belonging without performance pressure Spiritual practices that shape a hospitable heart Connect with Laura Murray: Website: www.digitalsilentretreats.com Book: Becoming a Person of Welcome ______________________________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if rest isn’t a luxury—but essential to your calling? In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling talks with Travis West, author of The Sabbath Way, about how Sabbath can renew leaders from the inside out. Far from being just a “day off,” Sabbath is a way of living that restores joy, deepens trust in God, and sustains our calling in a productivity-driven culture.   We’ll explore why Sabbath is a quiet but powerful form of leadership, how it reshapes our relationship with time, and why it’s key to resisting burnout. Whether you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or simply longing for a more unhurried pace with God, this conversation will inspire you to let grace set the pace. In this episode: Why Sabbath is more than a day of rest How Sabbath restores joy, gratitude, and delight The dangers of “false rest” and how to avoid them Moving from urgency to abundance in leadership Practical steps to start a Sabbath rhythm this week For more help in practicing the Sabbath, visit Travis West’s website for a free resource at https://www.travis-west.com/practices.   Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website.  Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.