Podcasts by Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley Barton

Season 21: Honest Advent | Week 2: Where is God in my Vulnerability? from 2023-12-08T06:00

See the image discussed in today’s episode HERE.

This week, ...

Season 21: Honest Advent | Week 1: Where is God in My Uncertainty? from 2023-12-01T06:00

As we mark the first week of Advent we are examining the Annunciation. How do we define a revelation and what does it expose in us? What does a revelation do to our plans and certainty...

Season 21: Preparing for Advent: Honest Longings, Honest Questions from 2023-11-24T06:00

Advent is upon us again. This season, we’ve invited artist, author, and speaker Scott Erickson to join us. Transforming Center team member Charity McClure is also on the microphone. Together wit...

Season 20: Episode 7 | This is Fun, Y’all: The Joy and Hope of Transforming Worship from 2023-11-15T06:00

Ruth sits down with producer Colleen to wrap up season 20 of the podcast. They share their learnings and highlights from these conversations and Ruth answers a listener's question about how to b...

Season 20: Episode 6 | What about my puppets? Beyond Programming to Worship that Changes Us from 2023-11-08T06:00

David, Charity, and Leo return with Ruth to continue their conversation from last week. In an episode that could have been titled, “Confessions of Professional Christians,” these four vulnerably...

Season 20: Episode 5 | Worship on Earth as it is In Heaven: The Transforming Power of Diversity from 2023-11-01T06:00

We have a full house for today’s episode! Ruth and Rory are joined by David Bailey, Leo Ayala, and Charity McClure. Sunday morning continues to be the most segregated hour of the week and many o...

Season 20: Episode 4 | The Pain and the Promise of Communion from 2023-10-25T06:00

We’re back! This season we’re focusing on worship, particularly worship that is transformative. Our season long guest is Rory Noland and we will be working with his book, Listen

Season 20: Episode 2 | Beyond Auto Pilot: Worship that is Spiritually Substantive from 2023-10-11T06:00

We’re back! This season we’re focusing on worship, particularly worship that is transformative. Our season long guest is Rory Noland and we will be working with his book, Listen

FROM PATREON: A Special Conversation about Justice with Sandra Van Opstal from 2023-08-22T06:00

This is a replay of an episode we released only to patrons of The Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast. While we take a small hiatus from normal programming to attend to the work of...

FROM PATREON: Ask Ruth #8: Questions about A Just Lent from 2023-08-08T11:42

This is a replay of an episode we released only to patrons of The Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast. While we take a small hiatus from normal programming to attend to the work of...

REPLAY Season 17: Episode 5 | The Power of Unplugging from 2023-07-25T06:00

This is a replay of a previous episode of The Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast. While we take a small hiatus from normal programming to attend to the work of The Transforming Ce...

REPLAY Season 16: Episode 6 | Second Order Change: Recognizing and Dissolving Stuck Patterns from 2023-07-11T06:00

This is a replay of a previous episode of The Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast. While we take a small hiatus from normal programming to attend to the work of The Transforming Ce...

REPLAY Season 10: Episode 7 | The Classic Spiritual Disciplines from 2023-06-27T06:00

This is a replay of a previous episode of The Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast. While we take a small hiatus from normal programming to attend to the work of The Transforming Ce...

REPLAY: Season 6: Episode 4 | Finding Your Rhythm on Retreat from 2023-06-13T11:09:43

This is a replay of a previous episode of The Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast. While we take a small hiatus from normal programming to attend to the work of The Transforming Ce...

Special Mini-Episode: A State of the Podcast Announcement from 2023-05-16T14:06:29

Hello! We’re popping in the podcast feed with a little “State of the Podcast” announcement (don’t worry! It’s not ending!). Ruth gives a peak behind the curtain as to what is happening over at t...

Season 19: Easter Monday | Transforming Post-Resurrection Encounters with Jesus from 2023-04-10T06:00

He is Risen, indeed! Happy Easter Monday, friends. Today, Ruth helps us celebrate the Risen Christ with five stories of post-resurrection encounters with Jesus. In each story she helps us consid...

Season 19: Lent Week 6 | Lament: Saying No to Triumphalism from 2023-04-03T06:00

This season we are focusing on justice as an aspect of spiritual formation and we believe Lent to be the perfect season to explore this connection. Using A Just Passion: A Six-Week Lenten Journe...

Season 19: Lent Week 5 | Communal Suffering: Can These Bones Live? from 2023-03-27T06:00

This season we are focusing on justice as an aspect of spiritual formation and we believe Lent to be the perfect season to explore this connection. Using A Just Passion: A Six-Week Lenten Journe...

Season 19: Lent Week 4 | Opposing Violent Injustice: Bringing Light to the Darkest Places from 2023-03-20T06:00

This season we are focusing on justice as an aspect of spiritual formation and we believe Lent to be the perfect season to explore this connection. Using A Just Passion: A Six-Week Lenten Journe...

Season 19: Lent Week 3 | The Work of Justice: Healing our Broken Ways from 2023-03-13T06:00

This season we are focusing on justice as an aspect of spiritual formation and we believe Lent to be the perfect season to explore this connection. Using A Just Passion: A Six-Week Lenten Journe...

Season 19: Lent Week 2 | Colonialism and Christianity: Bible Translation as a Work of Justice from 2023-03-06T06:00

This season we are focusing on justice as an aspect of spiritual formation and we believe Lent to be the perfect season to explore this connection. Using A Just Passion: A Six-Week Lenten Journe...

Season 19: Lent Week 1| Confession: What We Have Done and What We Have Left Undone from 2023-02-27T06:00

This season we are focusing on justice as an aspect of spiritual formation and we believe Lent to be the perfect season to explore this connection. Using A Just Passion: A Six-Week Lenten Journe...

Season 19: Lent Ash Wednesday | Invitation to a Just Lent: Learning to Love What God Loves from 2023-02-20T06:00

This season we are focusing on justice as an aspect of spiritual formation and we believe Lent to be the perfect season to explore this connection. Using A Just Passion: A Six-Week Lenten Journe...

Season 18: Episode 5 | What about the Congregation? How Everyone Benefits from a Pastor’s Sabbatical from 2023-02-07T05:00

We are wrapping up our sabbatical season by turning our attention to the congregation; how does a congregation benefit from a pastor’s sabbatical. Ruth sits down with her brother, Pastor Jonatha...

Season 18: Episode 4 | Are You Willing to Quit Your Job: Sabbatical for the Rest of Us from 2023-01-31T05:00

Are sabbaticals just for pastors? This week, Ruth sits down with guest Andy Crouch to talk about sabbatical from an everyman perspective. Andy has taken full responsibility for his own rhythm of...

Season 18: Episode 3 | Boundaries: Protecting What is Precious from 2023-01-24T05:00

Inevitably, every sabbatical will meet a challenge, a place where the outside world creeps in and threatens to call you back to the work you’ve committed to set aside. When that happens, what is...

Season 18: Episode 2 | More Than a Vacation: Planning for a Meaningful Sabbatical from 2023-01-17T05:00

We have two extra special guests this week! First, Ruth sits down with Christine Lee, Priest-in-Charge of St. Peter’s Chelsea in New York City. She and Ruth discuss how Christine discerned what ...

Season 18: Episode 1 | When Sabbath Isn’t Enough: Embracing the Gift of Sabbatical from 2023-01-10T05:00

Happy New Year! We are ringing in the new year by talking about sabbatical! Friend of the Transforming Center Rick McCall is back with us, and he and Ruth are sharing their experiences with sabb...

Bonus: Advent 2022 Year A from 2022-11-22T05:00

We find ourselves again beginning a new Christian year with Advent. This year the lectionary finds us in Cycle A. In this episode Ruth helps us prepare for advent with an invitation to use this ...

Season 17: Episode 11 | Sabbath Journey: Do Something Before You Do Everything from 2022-11-08T06:00

We’re wrapping up our sabbath season with a solo episode. Ruth is on the mic to help us discern the something we can do to start our sabbath journey. What are your invitations and resistances? W...

Season 17: Episode 10 | Fruit and Frustration: Creating a Culture Where Everyone Can Rest from 2022-11-01T05:00

As we’ve camped out around this idea of a “sabbath community” the last few weeks, we’ve explored the possibility and very real struggles of what that kind of commitment to sabbath looks like for...

Season 17: Episode 9 | Getting Honest About the Challenges of Sabbath Community from 2022-10-25T05:00

Today’s conversation is an honest and vulnerable one about the challenges of leading communities in the ways of the sabbath. Ruth sits down with Christine Lee who leads a busy church in New York...

Season 17: Episode 8 | Sabbath Leaders Cultivating Sabbath Communities from 2022-10-18T05:00

Over the next few episodes we are turning our attention from a leader’s personal sabbath practice towards how they can form and shape their communities around sabbath. We’ll be talking to a numb...

Season 17: Episode 7 | Sabbath Rhythms During Seasons of Singleness and Care-giving from 2022-10-11T05:00

In this episode we continue discussing how each season or stage of life presents its own challenges and opportunities with regard to sabbath keeping. Today we’re joined by two guests, Phaedra Bl...

Season 17: Episode 6 | Sharing Sabbath Presence Within Our Families from 2022-10-04T05:00

As we continue to discuss the idea of a sabbath practice and the very practical ways one can incorporate it into one’s life, we want to acknowledge that each season or stage of life presents its...

Season 17: Episode 5 | The Power of Unplugging from 2022-09-27T06:00

We’re here this week to talk about the elephant in the sabbath room… technology. Ruth and guest, Tiffany Shlain, talk all about how our technology impacts our ability to truly rest, why a “tech ...

Season 17: Episode 4 | Shabbat: Conversation with a Jewish Rabbi from 2022-09-20T06:00

Our guest this week is Rabbi Evan Moffic, a rabbi leading a congregation in the Chicago suburbs who also teaches and writes about the Jewishness of Jesus. He and Ruth discuss the importance of t...

Season 17: Episode 3 | Sabbath as Resistance from 2022-09-15T06:00

We had so much goodness in our conversations around the idea of sabbath as resistance that we decided to release them as separate episodes. In this episode, Ruth and guest Cole Arthur Riley cont...

Season 17: Episode 2 | The Poetry of Sabbath from 2022-09-13T06:00

We continue to celebrate the launch of Ruth’s newest book, Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again. This week, Ruth sits down with pastor and poet Drew Jacks...

Season 17: Episode 1 | Awakening to God’s Gift of Sabbath from 2022-09-06T06:00

We’re back! This season we are celebrating the launch of Ruth’s newest book, Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again. Ruth has invited a number of friends to...

BONUS: A Conversation with Glenn Packiam on Being a Resilient Pastor, Challenges Facing the Church, and Cultivating A Spiritual Life from 2022-07-22T06:00

We can't wait for you to hear this encouraging conversation between Ruth and Glenn Packiam, a pastor and author of The Resilient Pastor: Leading Your Church in a Rapidly Changing World. Glenn an...

BONUS: Ask Ruth #5 Excerpt from 2022-07-08T07:00

Over on Patreon, we concluded season 16 with our fifth installment of our Ask Ruth series. This episode included questions specific to this past season on Transforming Leadership: Managing Anxie...

Season 16: Episode 9 | Transforming Leadership: Spiritual Resources for the Journey from 2022-06-27T06:00

We are ending this season just as we started it: with Ruth going solo behind the mic. This time, she recaps Bowen’s 8 concepts, with particular emphasis on differentiation, encouraging us to ref...

Season 16: Episode 8 | Systems Theory and Leadership: Picking Up the Tools that Diffuse Anxiety from 2022-06-20T06:00

We’re nearing the end of our season on Systems Theory and leadership anxiety! In this last episode with Ruth and Steve together, the two give really practical help with concrete tools that can h...

Season 16: Episode 7 | It’s a Human Thing: Systems Theory in Non-Majority Spaces from 2022-06-13T06:00

This week we invited two additional guests to tackle this tender and challenging topic. Ruth and Steve are joined by Pastor Tina Harris, a former pastor and lawyer and currently Transforming Cen...

Season 16: Episode 6 | Second Order Change: Recognizing and Dissolving Stuck Patterns from 2022-06-06T06:00

Sometimes our greatest anxieties can surround areas of stuckness, places where we know what we are doing isn’t working, but we can’t seem to find our way out. This week, Ruth and Steve will disc...

Season 16: Episode 5 | The Freedom of Taking Responsibility from 2022-05-30T06:00

This week, Ruth and Steve are talking about differentiation. What is differentiation and how does it differ from individualism? Steve shares his framework of the Four Spaces and explains how pay...

Season 16: Episode 4 | Calm Presence: Leadership, Anxiety, and the False Self from 2022-05-23T06:00

Ruth and guest Steve Cuss continue to explore Systems Theory. This week they look at leadership, anxiety, and the false self. What are some examples of false selves and false beliefs and how do ...

Season 16: Episode 3 | The Sins of the Fathers (and Mothers): How Family of Origin Impacts Our Leadership from 2022-05-16T06:00

This week, Ruth and Steve delve into the topic of family of origin and its impact on leadership. Why do we need to do the messy work of untangling our childhood issues? How do we carry childhood...

Season 16: Episode 2 | The Most Powerful Leadership Tool: Diagnosing and Diffusing Anxiety from 2022-05-11T06:00

Welcome to Season 16, Transforming Leadership: Managing Anxiety Within Our Communities. This season we will be exploring Systems Theory, also called Family Systems Theory. Many of us have seen t...

Season 16: Episode 1| What’s Really Going On? Systems Theory and the Soul of Leadership from 2022-05-09T06:01

Welcome to Season 16, Transforming Leadership: Managing Anxiety Within Our Communities. This season we will be exploring Systems Theory, also called Family Systems Theory. Many of us have seen t...

Season 15: Easter Monday | Practicing Resurrection from 2022-04-18T06:00

We couldn’t leave you hanging in the darkness of Good Friday, so to wrap up season 15 of the podcast we are concluding with a conversation about Easter and the Resurrection. Ruth and Steve discu...

Season 15: Holy Week | Following Jesus All the Way from 2022-04-13T06:00

Ruth and Steve guide us into Holy Week with the reminder of the importance of keeping vigil and a discussion on the temptation to fall asleep. In what ways do we turn our gaze away from that whi...

Season 15: Lent Week 6 | Living Between Two Passions from 2022-04-06T06:00

We have arrived at Palm Sunday and this week Ruth and Steve discuss the disorienting swing the people create between hailing Jesus as King and calling for his crucifixion in a matter of days. It...

Season 15: Lent Week 5 | Out With the Old, In With the New from 2022-03-30T06:00

We seem to be turning a corner during this week of Lent! Ruth and Steve discuss the lectionary readings for the fifth Sunday of Lent and the call to prepare ourselves for whatever new things God...

Season 15: Lent Week 4 | The Power of Confession from 2022-03-23T06:00

This week’s temptation may bring us to the hardest, deepest places of Lent. We are talking about the temptation to be silent about our sin and the power of the practice of confession. Why are le...

Season 15: Lent Week 3 | Seeking God While He May Be Found from 2022-03-16T06:00

This week Ruth and Steve address the temptation to invest in that which does not satisfy. So many of us leaders find ourselves turning towards escapist behaviors in our exhaustion and grief. How...

Season 15: Lent Week 2 | Consenting to God’s Will Deep Within from 2022-03-09T06:00

What is it about leaders that we seem to struggle so much with the temptation to take matters into our own hands and “help” God out when we distrust His plans or when we are impatient with His t...

Season 15: Lent Week 1 | Fashioning Our Own Wilderness from 2022-03-02T06:00

Join us for Season 15, Lent for Leaders: With God in the Wilderness.  Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins will journey through Lent with a spirit of self-examination and desire for intimacy with G...

Lent 2022 Teaser | Lent for Leaders: With God in the Wilderness from 2022-02-23T06:00

Our next podcast season begins next week! Season 15 will help us walk through Lent together. Steve Weins is back with Ruth and together the two will tackle this time that invites us to self-exam...

BONUS: A Conversation with Rory Noland about Transforming Worship from 2022-02-02T06:00

Please enjoy another bonus conversation about worship, this time with our friend and former Transforming Community worship leader, Rory Noland.  Rory has a new book out called Transforming Worship:...

BONUS: A Conversation with Aaron Niequist about Fixed Hour Prayer and Transforming Community 18 from 2022-01-20T11:41:06

Please enjoy this bonus episode, a conversation between Ruth Haley Barton and Aaron Niequist, recorded at the Becoming A Transforming Church retreat. Ruth and Aaron discuss Aaron's experience as...

Bonus: Christmastide | Epiphany from 2022-01-06T06:00

We have a special bonus episode for you today to mark Epiphany.

We dusted off our podcasting microphones to have a conversation about Epiphany. Epiphany celeb...

Season 14: Advent Week 5 | Christmastide from 2021-12-20T06:00

This season we invite you to walk through Advent by engaging with the lectionary Scripture readings and listening for what God might want to say through them. In each episode, Ruth and...

Season 14: Advent Week 4 | Saying Yes to God from 2021-12-13T06:00

This season we invite you to walk through Advent by engaging with the lectionary Scripture readings and listening for what God might want to say through them. In each episode, Ruth and members o...

Season 14: Advent Week 3 | A Call to Repentance from 2021-12-06T06:00

This season we invite you to walk through Advent by engaging with the lectionary Scripture readings and listening for what God might want to say through them. In each episode, Ruth and members o...

Season 14: Advent Week 2 | Necessary Preparations from 2021-11-29T06:00

This season we invite you to walk through Advent by engaging with the lectionary Scripture readings and listening for what God might want to say through them. In each episode, Ruth and...

Season 14: Advent Week 1 | The Darkness of Waiting from 2021-11-22T06:00

This season we invite you to walk through Advent by engaging with the lectionary Scripture readings and listening for what God might want to say through them. In each episode, Ruth and members o...

Advent 2021 Teaser from 2021-11-17T13:26:21

Season 14 of the podcast invites leaders to walk through Advent by engaging with the lectionary Scripture readings for the New Year of the church calendar and listening for what God might want t...

BONUS: Ask Ruth #3 Excerpt from 2021-10-07T09:56:22

BONUS: Ask Ruth #3 Excerpt

In this bonus episode, we want to share another excerpt from our most recent Ask Ruth episode.  Every month we release bonus content to our patrons thr...

BONUS: A Conversation about Becoming a Transforming Church from 2021-09-23T15:10:51

In this special bonus episode, we are sharing a conversation with Biz Gainey, a pastor and long-time Transforming Community alum, about his experience leading a Transforming Church. The Becoming...

Season 13: Episode 12 | Invitations from God: Invitation to the Most Excellent Way from 2021-09-08T00:00

On this last episode of season 13, listen as Ruth and Adele discuss God’s invitation to the most excellent way: love. Using 1 Corinthians 13 as a guide, they examine the counterfeits of love as ...

Season 13: Episode 11 | Invitations from God: Invitation to Remember from 2021-09-01T00:00

In this week’s conversation, Ruth and Adele explore the invitation to remember. They discuss how we remember, the forces that shape our narratives around our memories, God’s invitation to allow ...

Season 13: Episode 10 | Invitations from God: Invitation to Pray from 2021-08-25T00:00

In this episode, Ruth and Adele use the Lord’s Prayer to examine God’s invitation to prayer. They share what God is currently calling each of them to as it pertains to prayer. How does the “Our”...

Season 13: Episode 9 | Invitations from God: Invitation to Wait from 2021-08-18T00:00

This week Ruth and Adele discuss God’s invitation to wait. They process the difference between good waiting and bad waiting and ask what waiting exposes in us? The two also examine when waiting ...

Season 13: Episode 8 | Invitations from God: Invitation to Forgive from 2021-08-11T00:00

The invitation to forgive is one of our most weighty invitations, as Ruth and Adele will explore. In this conversation, they will put some definitions around forgiveness, reconciliation, and how...

Season 13: Episode 7 | Invitations from God: Invitation to Admit I Might Be Wrong from 2021-08-04T00:00

The invitation in this episode may be our most challenging yet: God’s invitation to admit I might be wrong. Why is it so hard to admit that we may be wrong and how does shame keep us from this i...

Season 13: Episode 6 | Invitations from God: Invitation to Weep from 2021-07-28T00:00

In this week’s episode, Ruth and Adele discuss God’s invitation to weep. Listen as the two cover the gift of tears, as well as what makes it hard to weep. As we come out of the pandemic it may b...

Season 13: Episode 5 | Invitations from God: Invitation to Rest from 2021-07-21T00:00

In this episode, Ruth and Adele respond to God’s invitation to rest. They acknowledge the fears and cultural rewards that keep us from resting and examine what freedoms we might have found durin...

Season 13: Episode 4 | Invitations from God: Invitation to Practice the Presence of People from 2021-07-14T00:00

This week Ruth and Adele are breaking down the invitation to practice the presence of people. What does it mean to “shine your face upon someone” and why is our physical presence so important? L...

BONUS Episode Ask Ruth Teaser from 2021-07-09T00:00

For this special bonus episode, we wanted to give all of our listeners a peek into what is happening over on Patreon. This is a short sample of our bonus “Ask Ruth” series where patrons get the ...

Season 13: Episode 3 | Invitations from God: Invitation to Follow from 2021-07-07T00:00

Listen as Ruth and Adele use the invitation from chapter two of Invitations from God to examine the ways following and leading are connected in the life of Christ and what it means to s...

Season 13: Episode 2 | Invitations from God: Invitation to Participate in Your Own Healing from 2021-06-30T00:00

In this episode, Ruth and Adele discuss chapter 1, Invitation to Participate in Your Own Healing. Ruth and Adele cover everything from the particular wounds we have encountered societally over t...

Season 13: Episode 1 | Invitations from God: What are God’s Invitations? from 2021-06-23T00:01

Welcome to season 13! Ruth is spending this season with her dear friend and fellow spiritual director, Adele Calhoun, discussing Adele’s book Invitations from God. The invitations outlined in th...

Season 13 Teaser + New Patron Program from 2021-06-15T14:00:54

Season 13 of the Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast is just around the corner! Join us on June 23 as we kick off a new season with Ruth’s friend and fellow spiritual director Adel...

Season 12: Episode 7 | Principles of the Deeper Life from 2021-03-31T00:00

Ruth and Steve conclude this season with some practical advice and discussing a persistent practice for leaders. How do we detach ourselves from all that is not God to attach ourselves to all that ...

Season 12: Episode 6 | Putting on the New Nature from 2021-03-24T10:32:51

Putting off the vices of the old self is only half the equation. We are to put off the old nature and put on the new nature. A great conversation flows around rest and sabbath, forbearance, and for...

Season 12: Episode 5 | Abandoning the False Self from 2021-03-17T00:01

We have been deep in theological waters in this season. In this episode  we are going to look at abandoning our false self through the lens of the Enneagram. This is not going to be a deep dive, bu...

Season 12: Episode 4 | Hidden With Christ in God: The False Self and the Christ Self from 2021-03-10T00:00

Episode 4 starts with some very good news if you are feeling trapped by your false self. This episode raises up some theological questions and Robert Mulholland's perspective as a New Testament ...

Season 12: Episode 3 | The Idol in the Box: The Religious False Self from 2021-03-03T00:00

Ruth names it – this is the most convicting part of the book for any of us who are Christians – especially for Christian leaders. Steve and Ruth have different reasons it is difficult to acknowl...

Season 12: Episode 2 | Into the Jungle: The False Self from 2021-02-24T00:00

Ruth and Steve begin the second episode defining terms – expanding on Mulholland's definition of the false self. A lot of what is happenings in churches is superficial tinkering, and the reality is...

Season 12: Episode 1 | Deeper Journey: The Spirituality of Discovering Your True Self from 2021-02-17T06:56:23

We are excited to be back with our first season of 2021. Ruth launches the season by connecting Robert Mulholland's book, The Deeper Journey with the season of Lent and discussing the Examen and...

Season 12 Trailer: The Deeper Journey from 2021-02-11T15:25:05

We are excited to be back with our first season of 2021. If you would like to read along with this podcast season you can purchase Robert Mulholland's book, The Deeper Journey, at your favorite ...

Christmastide, Year B: How Silently, How Silently, the Wondrous Gift is Given from 2020-12-21T00:02

Join Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins for spiritual encouragement based on this year's Advent Reflections (Cycle B) with an episode for each week of Ad...

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B: Mary and the Prayer of Indifference from 2020-12-14T00:01

Join Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins for spiritual encouragement based on this year's Advent Reflections (Cycle B) with an episode for each week of Ad...

Third Sunday of Advent, Year B: Keepin' it Real from 2020-12-07T00:03

Join Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins are definitely keepin' it real. Listen and discover what is so far in the rear view mirror for Ruth. Based on thi...

Second Sunday of Advent, Year B: What Sort of Persons Ought We To Be? from 2020-11-30T20:42:31

Join Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins for spiritual encouragement based on this year's Advent Reflections (Cycle B) with an episode for each week of Ad...

First Sunday of Advent, Year B: Living Between Two Worlds from 2020-11-23T15:49:09

Happy New Year! Advent marks the beginning of the church year. Join Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins for spiritual encouragement based on this year's A...

Advent 2020 Teaser from 2020-11-16T09:30:25

Our next podcast season is designed to help leaders carve out some time to make Advent a season of transformation for themselves. Join Ruth and Steve for spiritual encouragement with an episode ...

Season 10: Episode 10 | Social Spirituality from 2020-08-26T00:00

There is a tension between personal holiness and social holiness. This last episode is a helpful conclusion to the season and serves to protect us from dangers on the spiritual journey, and sadl...

Season 10: Episode 9 | Corporate Spirituality from 2020-08-19T00:00

What is the body of Christ? If you think it is only the church little “c” you will want to listen to this episode. Frustrated with your local church? Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins have some ...

Season 10: Episode 8 | The Nature and Dynamics of Spiritual Disciplines from 2020-08-12T00:00

We jump into the deep weeds in episode 8 and begin with a paradox and Romans 8:10. Note there is a dead body in this episode, and neither Ruth Haley Barton or Steve Weins want to talk about it. ...

Season 10: Episode 7 | The Classic Spiritual Disciplines from 2020-08-05T00:00

We begin this episode by redeeming the word “disciplines" by offering up the word “practices” and looking at disciplines through the lens of desire and about opening ourselves up to God, remindi...

Season 10: Episode 6 | The Classic Christian Pilgrimage from 2020-07-29T00:00

In this episode, Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins move to looking at the four classic Christian stages of spiritual journey – awakening, purgation, illumination, union. Mulholland makes a valua...

Season 10: Episode 5 | Holistic Spirituality, Part 2 from 2020-07-22T00:01

Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins continue their discussion of holistic spirituality, and they finish their discussion of the personality types. You will want to catch Ruth's blog post last week led to Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Wiens, pastor of Genesis Covenant Church, about sexuality and gender that will surprisingly leave you enco...

Season 9: Episode 4 | Spiritual Transformation and Money with David Wills and Todd Harper from 2020-03-18T06:41:18

A conversation for those who have money and those who feel they don’t have enough money. Our relationship with money reveals what we are placing our trust in. Sadly even in most Christian families ...

Season 9: Episode 3 | The Struggle to Give Our Death Away with Ron Rolheiser from 2020-03-11T07:30:21

The third-part of Ruth's conversation with author Fr. Ronald Rolheiser is a thought provoking discussion of  the third stage of discipleship – giving our deaths away. How can we give something d...

Season 9: Episode 2 | The Struggle to Give Our Lives Away with Ron Rolheiser from 2020-03-04T08:13:10

In the second-part of Ruth's conversation with author Fr. Ronald Rolheiser Ruth discusses the temptations and invitations of the second stage of discipleship – those giving their lives away. The...

Season 9: Episode 1 | The Struggle to Get our Lives Together with Ron Rolheiser from 2020-02-25T15:55

We are launching season 9 and keeping things fresh. This season is titled Ruth and Friends: “Conversations on Spiritual Transformation and…” In each episode Ruth invites leaders with diverse cal...

Season 8: Episode 5 | Christmastide: From Waiting to Wonder from 2019-11-27T01:00

Join us for this series of Advent and Christmastide reflections. The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering in...

Season 8: Episode 4 | Fourth Sunday of Advent: Joseph and the Walk of Faith from 2019-11-27T01:00

Join us for this series of Advent and Christmastide reflections. The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering in...

Season 8: Episode 3 | Third Sunday of Advent: Gifts in the Wilderness from 2019-11-27T01:00

Join us for this series of Advent and Christmastide reflections. The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering in...

Season 8: Episode 2 | Second Sunday of Advent: Joyful Preparations from 2019-11-27T01:00

Join us for this series of Advent and Christmastide reflections. The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering in...

Season 8: Episode 1 | First Sunday of Advent: The Importance of Waking Up from 2019-11-27T01:00

Join us for this series of Advent and Christmastide reflections. The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering in...

Season 7: Week 8 | Eastertide: Living in the Mystery from 2019-04-22T15:56:58

Season 7: Week 7 | Holy Week: Liturgy of the Passion from 2019-04-14T23:01

The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering into these seasons we experience the deeper dynamics and rhythms of...

Season 7: Week 6 | Holy Week: Liturgy of the Palms from 2019-04-08T16:45:27

Season 7: Week 5 | Suffering: Dying that we Might Live from 2019-04-01T00:01

The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering into these seasons we experience the deeper dynamics and rhythms of...

Season 7: Week 4 | Confession: Coming Home to God from 2019-03-25T00:01

The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering into these seasons we experience the deeper dynamics and rhythms of...

Season 7: Week 3 | Repentance: Cleaning our Messy House from 2019-03-17T23:01

Season 7: Week 2 | Self-Denial: Setting our Minds on Things Above from 2019-03-12T05:05

Season 7: Week 1 | Solitude: Fashioning our Own Wilderness from 2019-03-07T05:05

We received such a great response to the practices and moments of quiet reflection that we included in our most recent episodes that we decided to do the same thing with Lent. The seasons of the...

Season 7: Ash Wednesday | Crossing the Threshold Into Lent from 2019-03-06T05:05

We received such a great response to the practices and moments of quiet reflection that we included in our most recent episodes that we decided to do the same thing with Lent. The seasons of the...

Season 6: Episode 12 | In Returning and Rest You Shall Be Saved from 2019-02-06T05:21

Ruth begins by sharing just how important the rhythm of retreat has been for her life. What is the one thing that must be present in a retreat center. Ruth shares about the lifting power of retr...

Season 6: Episode 11 | Remember the Signs from 2019-01-30T05:21

How do we return from retreat? In this episode we get some much needed counsel and a little help from Aslan. Ruth gives very practical advice on how to return home after a retreat. Are you a blu...

Season 6: Episode 10 | Spiritual Freedom from 2019-01-23T05:21

Is it really possible? We begin by dealing with Steve’s resistance to the chapter title. Steve might or might not be having an existential crisis. Are you the responsible one? Maybe you can star...

Season 6: Episode 9 | Invitation to Recalibrate from 2019-01-16T05:21

Often time on retreat there is sadness that takes one by surprise. Who do I want to be and how do I want to live so I can be who I want to be are important questions for recalibrating on retreat...

Season 6: Episode 8 | Space for Discernment from 2019-01-09T05:21

If you have gotten this far and are still wondering if a retreat is a necessary practice, we knock it out of the park with discussing Jesus’ pattern of retreat. Jesus utilizes retreat for discer...

Season 6: Episode 7 | Relinquishing False Self Patterns from 2019-01-02T05:21

We start with defining what is meant by false self patterns and where it fits into our spiritual journey. Ruth shares her perspective on the current popularity of the Enneagram right now. Just n...

Season 6: Episode 6 | Letting Go of Your Grip from 2018-12-26T05:19

Steve has control issues even if surrender is one of the major movements of the spiritual life. Retreat is a powerful tool to practice surrender. Could your absence from those you love while on ...

Season 6: Episode 5 | Sweet Hours of Prayer from 2018-12-19T05:19

Fixed hour of prayer. It is as simple as praying at fixed hours of the day. It is about reorienting ourselves to God. Ruth shares the four prayer movements that are used in the Transforming Comm...

Season 6: Episode 4 | Finding Your Rhythm on Retreat from 2018-12-12T05:19

Human beings are made with rhythms and for rhythms. A beautiful conversation ensues about the beauty of rhythms, and how to find and recognize rhythms. In the Christian tradition tears are always a...

Season 6: Episode 3 | The Sources of our Exhaustion from 2018-12-05T05:19

Are you living out of external expectations instead of God’s calling on your life? Learn more about common sources of exhaustion. Could it be that our desire to serve is more about staying in co...

Season 6: Episode 2 | Just Flop Down from 2018-11-28T05:28

Too busy? When is the best time to go on retreat? Join Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Wiens for episode 2, and don’t forget your pillow. A great discussion about how technology has caused many of u...

Special Episode: Discovering Advent from 2018-11-23T05:30

Season 6: Episode 1 | Strategic Withdrawal from 2018-11-21T05:19

Why did Ruth write another book? How does it relate to Invitation to Solitude and...

Season 5: Episode 12 | For the Sake of Others from 2018-11-14T05:31

Why does Ruth end a book on silence and solitude with a chapter on for sake of others? Listen to find out. Ruth describes her own journey of moving out of silence and solitude and how it transfo...

Season 5: Episode 11 | Receiving Guidance from 2018-11-07T05:31

Why does Elijah say the same things again? We expect Elijah’s experience of God’s presence to transform him, but there is a comforting interpretation of this passage. The good news: we don’t hav...

Season 5: Episode 10 | Pure Presence from 2018-10-31T05:31

We begin this episode with a quick review of the story of Elijah. There is a payoff to waiting, and not running away.  God is becoming Elijah’s ultimate orienting reality. Entering a silence tha...

Season 5: Episode 9 | Facing Ourselves from 2018-10-24T05:31

We are in the chaos with Elijah. In solitude and silence we feel the battle between the false self and the true self. Some of the most important questions emerge from the chaos. Ruth and Steve d...

Season 5: Episode 8 | Emptiness from 2018-10-17T05:31

It takes stamina to stay in silence and solitude. Why does God meet us in such vast emptiness? Ruth has a thought. There is great encouragement in Elijah’s journey and how long it took. Emptines...

Season 5: Episode 7 | Rest for the Soul from 2018-10-10T05:31

We have made it to the cave with Elijah and he is telling the whole truth. The good news is God can handle anything. Ruth shares about being in solitude and silence with gratitude and how restfu...

Season 5: Episode 6 | Rest for the Mind from 2018-10-03T05:31

We are moving through this story slowly and it is good. At this point God asks Elijah a question. Allowing the mind rest into the heart is a helpful way to describe letting the mind rest without...

Season 5: Episode 5 | Rest for the Body from 2018-09-26T05:31

What is not to like about the fact that God instructed Elijah to take not one but two naps? Why do we treat our body so poorly? Ruth and Steve discuss a powerful psalm to better understand the d...

Season 5: Episode 4 | Dangerously Tired from 2018-09-19T05:31

We pick up with the story of Elijah, and why it is important that he rested first. We talk about how to recognize being dangerously tired, with Ruth sharing some concrete examples. How does one ...

Season 5: Episode 3 | Resistance from 2018-09-12T05:31

Our lives are not in danger like Elijahs, but we all have to face resistance. If you feel the push pull, then this is likely a signal God is at work.  How do we push through our fear? What if we...

Season 5: Episode 2 | Beginnings from 2018-09-05T05:31

Learning to be present with God alone – where do we begin? How do we get to the point where we recognize that what needs done in our lives only God can do? We define our terms in this episode – ...

Season 5: Episode 1 | Beyond Words from 2018-08-29T05:31

In Season 5: Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Steve Wiens and Ruth Haley Barton will walk through Ruth's book by the same name. Join us for a rich conversation, and grab a copy of the book to...

BONUS EPISODE: A Conversation with Ruth Haley Barton and Aaron Niequist from 2018-08-23T13:43:26

Before we kick off a new season next Wednesday, Ruth Haley Barton sat down with Aaron Niequist and discussed a variety of topics from their shared background to their journey to a practiced-base...

Season 4: Episode 9 | Finding God in the Crucible of Ministry from 2018-05-30T07:01

This episode begins with a discussion of the kind of lonineless that is probably the hardest for a spiritual leader – when we feel God is against us. Moses' story in Exodus 33 has a lot to teach...

Season 4: Episode 8 | From Isolation to Discernment in Community from 2018-05-23T07:01

Episode 8 highlights God’s faithfulness in meeting us in the loneliness of our leadership and how that leads to discerning together. We do an overview of corporate leadership discernment (All of...

Season 4: Episode 7 | Leadership as Intercession from 2018-05-16T07:01

Leadership opens leaders up to a whole world of pain. Moses is such a great leader because he always brings the difficulties people brought to God. You don’t hear much about the role of interces...

Season 4: Episode 6 | Spiritual Rhythms in the Life of a Leader from 2018-05-09T07:01

The story of Moses and Jethro brings us right into the topic of sane rhythms in the life of the leader. What are the signs we are dangerously tired? What is the role of technology in all that! Y...

Season 4: Episode 5 | Guiding Others on a Spiritual Journey from 2018-05-02T07:05

In this episode Ruth and Steve start looking at the implications of the leadership journey, and how to guide others on their spiritual journey. Ruth makes a distinction between first half of lif...

Season 4: Episode 4 | The Conundrum of Calling from 2018-04-25T07:01

This episode begins a bit differently. Instead of starting with the biblical story (Moses) Steve dives in and turns the table on Ruth, asking her about her own calling and what it looks like rig...

Season 4: Episode 3 | The Practice of Paying Attention from 2018-04-18T07:01

Don’t wait till you're headed into a collision to recognize the need to pay attention. Ruth shares a funny, but sobering example. In this episode Ruth and Steve discuss practices to help leaders...

Season 4: Episode 2 | The Place of Our Own Conversion from 2018-04-11T07:01

Ruth and Steve jump right into the story of Moses and we learn why he is such a great guide for those who are in leadership. Ruth and Steve explore some of the common family of origin issues tha...

Season 4: Episode 1 | When Leaders Lose Their Souls from 2018-04-04T07:01

It was 10 years ago that Strengthening the Soul of your Leadership was published by InterVarsity Press. Last year we launched this podcast by the same name, and this year to celebrate the 10th a...

Season 3: Episode 9 | Discerning and Doing God’s Will Together from 2018-03-28T07:01

Last episode of Season 3. Are you still listening? Listening is a huge part of corporate leadership discernment. Ruth points out the role of listening in the discernment process in Act 15. Leade...

Season 3: Episode 8 | Get Set: From Decision-Making to Discernment from 2018-03-21T07:02

This episode begins with a discussion of why sailing is such a beautiful metaphor for discernment. In this episode Ruth and Steve delve into what helps groups cross the threshold from decision-m...

Season 3: Episode 7 | Get Ready: Preparing for Discernment from 2018-03-14T07:01

We are seven episodes in and we haven’t yet talked about the practice of discerning together. Everyone knows that it doesn’t go well when you paint a room and skip the prep work. Ruth shares why...

Season 3: Episode 6 | Values and Practices for Being Safe Together from 2018-03-07T07:02

The truth is, sadly, that many have lost faith that a community can be a safe place. How many leadership teams talk about love in the context of leadership? Ruth gives wonderful examples of the ...

Season 3: Episode 5 | Values and Practices For Opening to God Together from 2018-02-28T07:02

What is the first thing that goes when a leadership team gets busy? Does community mean two hours of checking in about how the kids and grandkids are doing? Ruth and Steve have a rich conversati...

Season 3: Episode 4 | Community at the Leadership Level from 2018-02-21T07:01

What is corporate leadership discernment? Ruth kicks off this episode with defining each word and leads us through the movements of corporate leadership discernment. Discover why hikers and sail...

Season 3: Episode 3 | Leaders Who Are Transforming from 2018-02-14T07:16

Magical thinking not allowed in this episode… ok not in any episode. Steve leads by pondering whether the western church needs to make a confession. In this episode, Ruth and Steve go deep on fi...

Season 3: Episode 2 | Beginning With Spiritual Transformation from 2018-02-07T07:06

What is the best thing a leader brings to leadership? The answer is countercultural. Ruth makes a clear distinction between being healthy and transforming. Listen for an important question that nee...

Season 3: Episode 1 | The Heart of Spiritual Leadership from 2018-01-31T07:12

It is 2018 and we are excited to be back with Ruth Haley Barton and Transforming Center friend and Transforming Community (TC6) alum, Steve Wiens. In...

Season 3: Teaser from 2018-01-29T07:00

Ruth's third season, Pursuing God's Will Together is set to come out on January 31st, 2018. Listen to this short episode to get a discounted rate at the next Pursuing God's Will Together retreat...

Season 2: Episode 9 | You are Witnesses of these Things from 2017-09-13T05:49

As we conclude season two, the disciples on the Emmaus Road are so excited about what has happened in and through their encounter with Jesus on the Emmaus Road that they jump up from dinner and ...

Season 2: Episode 8 | Discerning the Presence of Christ from 2017-09-06T05:45

Ever had a conversation you wish didn’t have to end? The two disciples were so stirred by their conversation that “they urged Jesus strongly to stay.” And it was in the staying that the disciple...

Season 2: Episode 7 | Finding Our Story in HIS Story from 2017-08-30T05:45

Jesus is on a roll now—helping the disciples on the Emmaus Road to see their story and what felt so personal to them as part of the larger story of what God has been doing down through history. ...

Season 2: Episode 6 | The Nature of the Spiritual Journey from 2017-08-23T05:43

Jesus listened long enough to the disciples on the Emmaus Road to offer a spiritual perspective on the hardest experiences of life. In this conversation, Ruth and Steve discuss the role of suffe...

Season 2: Episode 5 | Men and Women in Community from 2017-08-16T05:45

If you read the Emmaus Road conversation carefully in Luke 24, you will notice that part of the story the disciples told Jesus was that “the women of our group astounded us” with news of the Res...

Season 2: Episode 4 | Gathering on the Basis of Shared Desire from 2017-08-09T05:45

In their conversation on the Emmaus Road, Jesus created a safe space for the disciples to share their deepest desire. Getting in touch with our deepest desire is like peeling an onion—there are ...

Season 2: Episode 3 | Choosing to Listen Rather than Fix from 2017-08-02T05:46

Continuing the story of the Emmaus Road, Jesus plays dumb and models what spiritual companionship can look like. How do we become the kind of person who can listen rather than fix, and stand sti...

Season 2: Episode 2 | Welcoming the Stranger from 2017-07-26T05:27

Jesus wants to be in your juicy conversations. Just think about it—the Emmaus Road encounter would not have happened had the disciples not welcomed “the stranger” on their journey home. Welcomin...

Season 2: Episode 1 | Choosing to Walk Together from 2017-07-19T05:35

Life Together in Christ: Cultivating Communities for Spiritual Transformation

Many of us are carrying a lot of baggage regarding Christian community.  Ruth has often commented that it is ...

Season 1: Episode 9 | A Rule of Life: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation from 2017-05-17T05:55

The final episode of Season 1: Sacred Rhythms in the Life of the Leader. Ruth and Steve wrap up season 1 with a lively discussion of how to put it all together in your own sacred rhythms. Ruth c...

Season 1: Episode 8 | For the Sake of Others from 2017-05-10T05:55

Are you a missional or a formational organization? Steve and Ruth take on this dualism. As usual, the conversation begins with looking at Scripture, showing the cause and effect relationship bet...

Season 1: Episode 7 | The Art and Practice of Spiritual Discernment from 2017-05-03T05:55

Discernment is not a subjective woo-woo experience! Ruth begins episode 7 by explaining why discernment is an art AND a practice. This discussion highlights the unlikely place discernment begins...

Season 1: Episode 6 | Transformation Through Self-Knowledge and Self-Examination from 2017-04-26T05:55

This podcast kicks off with a discussion of the ancient practice of the Examen. In case you are wondering, self-examination is so much more than just asking God to show us our sin. In this rich ...

Season 1: Episode 5 | Honoring the Body as a Spiritual Discipline from 2017-04-19T05:55

Ruth draws from Elijah’s story to shed light on the role of the body in the spiritual life. This episode explores the connection between our bodies and our spiritual lives.  Discover the joy of ...

Season 1: Episode 4 | Engaging the Scriptures for Transformation from 2017-04-12T05:55

What happens to a leader’s soul when s/he only engages Scripture for ministry? Steve asks for a friend. ;) What can a pastor or leader do when they are no longer encountering God in Scripture? J...

Season 1: Episode 3 | Prayer - Deepening Our Intimacy With God from 2017-04-05T06:00

How does Ruth respond when a pastor admits they don’t know how to pray anymore? You will be surprised. This episode is for those who feel stuck in their prayer even though prayer is part of thei...

Bonus Episode | Lent : Returning to God with All Your Heart from 2017-03-10T12:30:29

Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Wiens begin the discussion of Lent by talking about the seasons of the church calendar. Each season has unique invitations and keep us connected with Jes...

Season 1: Episode 2 | A Leader's Journey into Silence and Solitude from 2017-03-10T12:27:12

Do you sleep with your phone? You won’t believe who has your number! Ruth and Steve talk about the challenge of technology for leaders who desire to practice silence and solitude. T...

Season 1: Episode 1 | Invitation to Retreat/Dangerously Tired from 2017-03-10T12:25:11

Join us on the journey of transforming leadership! What do pastors and ministry leaders tell Ruth when they know they are safe? In the very first episode of the Strengthening the Soul of Your Le...