Unhurried Living | Helping Christians Rest Deeper & Lead Better

Epizode

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  How to Trust God When You’re Afraid to Lose What You Love Most 20.07.2026 8min

  In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Gem reflects on the powerful story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 and what it reveals about trust, surrender, and spiritual growth. What happens when the thing you long for most feels at risk? How do you trust God when disappointment threatens your peace? Through Scripture and a deeply personal story of infertility and waiting, Gem explores how faith matures when we release our deepest desires into God’s care. If you are navigating unanswered prayer, wrestling with surrender, or seeking a deeper trust in God, this episode will meet you there. ______________________________________ 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.
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  How to Recognize God's Voice: Growing in Discernment Through the Holy Spirit (Unhurried Favorite with Tyler Staton) 13.07.2026 32min

  What if the Holy Spirit is not distant or confusing—but closer than you think?   In this replay episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling sits down with pastor and author Tyler Staton to explore what it means to grow in discernment and recognize God’s voice through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Drawing from Tyler’s book The Familiar Stranger, this conversation invites us beyond ideas about God into a lived, relational experience with him.   Many leaders sense a gap between what Scripture describes about the Spirit’s power and what they experience in daily life. Together, Alan and Tyler gently explore how that gap can begin to close—not through striving, but through growing familiarity with God’s voice, learning to discern what is truly from him, and opening ourselves to a more vibrant, Spirit-led life.   Whether you feel curious, uncertain, or quietly hungry for more, this conversation offers a hopeful 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.
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  Finding Your Voice Without Feeling Selfish (Dr. Alison Cook) 06.07.2026 42min

  What does it really mean to become the best version of yourself in God?   In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Gem Fadling sits down with therapist and bestselling author Dr. Alison Cook to talk about Christian boundaries, finding your voice, healing trauma, and facing emotional pain with faith.   Dr. Alison shares a deeply personal story that shaped her book The Best of You, and we explore why so many Christian women struggle to recognize their needs, speak up in relationships, and set healthy boundaries without guilt. We also look at how Jesus modeled a strong sense of self, and why facing your pain is essential to spiritual growth and emotional healing.   If you’ve ever wondered: Is it selfish to focus on my needs? How do I set boundaries as a Christian? Why is it so hard to use my voice? How do I heal from past wounds with God? This conversation will encourage you to rest deeper, live fuller, and lead better. _________________________________________ 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.
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  The Formation of a Leader Who Lasts 29.06.2026 16min

  It’s one thing to understand the kind of leadership that helps people flourish. It’s another thing to sustain it—especially over time.   In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling continues his reflections on Wendell Berry’s wisdom, turning from the life we cultivate in leadership to the life we must become to sustain it.   Drawing from Berry’s insights on character, familiarity, and discipline, Alan explores the deeper work of leadership formation—the kind of inner life that holds steady under pressure and grows through experience.   You’ll discover: Why good intentions and knowledge are not enough for lasting leadership How character is formed through everyday choices and responses What your reactions reveal about your inner life How reflection helps you grow in wisdom over time   This episode is for pastors, team leaders, and anyone who wants to become the kind of leader who can stay with the work long enough to see it bear fruit.   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.
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  Aging Well: An Intentional Vision for the Next Decade 22.06.2026 10min

  What does it mean to enter the final third of life with intention?   In this reflective episode, Gem shares about a personal season of reset as she approaches sixty. Through the lens of Christian spiritual formation, she explores four guiding words for her next decade: freedom, meaningful work, rest, and fruitfulness.   Together we consider how to navigate midlife transitions, how to embrace aging with hope rather than fear, and how to cooperate with the inward renewal described in 2 Corinthians 4. This episode offers practical action steps for those seeking spiritual growth, clarity, and a more unhurried life in their next season. _________________________________________ 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.
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  When God Seems Distant (Kyle Strobel) 15.06.2026 43min

  What do we do when God no longer feels as close as He used to feel? Many sincere believers experience seasons when prayer feels empty, Scripture feels quiet, and God seems strangely absent. For leaders especially, those seasons can feel confusing, discouraging, and even shameful. In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling sits down with theologian and spiritual formation professor Kyle Strobel to discuss the new book When God Seems Distant, coauthored with John Coe. Together, they explore: Why spiritual dryness is a normal part of mature faith The danger of equating spiritual feelings with God’s presence How suffering and helplessness can become places of formation The subtle ways we avoid God—even through our spirituality Why love, rather than striving, is what truly transforms us This conversation offers a compassionate and deeply hopeful vision for anyone walking through uncertainty, weariness, disappointment, or spiritual distance. Whether you are a pastor, leader, spiritual director, or simply someone longing to remain near to God in difficult seasons, this episode offers wisdom and encouragement for the journey. 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.
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  When Your Faith Feels Dry (And How God Meets You There) w/ Tish Harrison Warren 08.06.2026 49min

  What do you do when your faith feels dry and your prayers feel empty?   In this episode, Gem Fadling sits down with author and Anglican priest Tish Harrison Warren to explore the reality of spiritual dryness, burnout, and what the Christian tradition calls “aridity.” Drawing from her book, What Grows in Weary Lands, Tish offers a deeply grounded vision of faith that endures, even in seasons of doubt, fatigue, and emotional exhaustion.   Together, they reflect on ancient Christian practices, the wisdom of the desert fathers and mothers, and how modern experiences of burnout and languishing intersect with the deeper spiritual journey.   If you’ve ever wondered where God is in your weariness, or how to keep going when your inner life feels thin, this conversation offers a steady, hopeful way forward.   Topics include: Spiritual dryness and why it happens Christian practices for burnout and fatigue How to pray when prayer feels empty Faith in seasons of doubt and distance from God Ancient wisdom for modern exhaustion   This episode is for anyone longing to stay rooted in God, even when life feels overwhelming. _________________________________________ 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.
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  Tending the Life Beneath Your Leadership 01.06.2026 12min

  Much of what we long to see in leadership—trust, depth, resilience, and lasting fruit—simply does not grow well in a hurry.   In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling reflects on insights from Wendell Berry to explore a different way of leading. Instead of pushing for results, what if leadership is more like tending a garden? What if the work is less about driving outcomes and more about cultivating the kind of life where good things can grow?   Drawing from Berry’s reflections on the slow work of restoring fertility, Alan invites leaders to consider the deeper kind of growth that happens over time—often unseen, but essential for lasting impact.   You’ll discover: Why meaningful growth in leadership cannot be rushed What it looks like to cultivate a life-giving environment Three simple practices that help leaders foster lasting fruit How tending your inner life shapes everything you lead   This episode is for pastors, team leaders, and anyone who wants to lead in a way that helps people truly flourish.   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.
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  Sustainable Spiritual Influence: Reservoir Leadership 25.05.2026 9min

  What if sustainable leadership begins not with strategy but with fullness?   In this episode, Gem Fadling reflects on Bernard of Clairvaux’s image of the reservoir and contrasts it with the canal model of leadership. Looking at the example of Jesus, who often withdrew to pray despite growing demands, this conversation invites leaders to rediscover depth, overflow, and spiritual sustainability.   If you desire influence without burnout, this episode offers both inspiration and practical next steps. _________________________________________ 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.
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  Your Desires Are Trying to Tell You Something (with Jay Stringer) 18.05.2026 44min

  Many of us have learned to live at odds with our own desires. Some of us follow them wherever they lead. Others try to suppress or manage them. Either way, desire can begin to feel like something we don’t quite trust.   In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling sits down with therapist and author Jay Stringer to explore a more honest and hopeful way of understanding desire. Drawing from his book Desire: The Longings Inside Us and the New Science of How We Love, Heal, and Grow, Jay helps us see how even our most confusing or unwanted desires can become pathways toward healing.   Together, they discuss: Why desire can feel like a “civil war” within us How our stories shape the desires we carry The role of shame—and the invitation to curiosity How to discern the deeper longing beneath misdirected desire A simple next step toward healing and greater awareness   This is a conversation for anyone who has ever felt conflicted inside—and wondered if there might be a more grace-filled way 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.
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  What Prison Ministry Teaches Us About God (Heather Rice-Minus) 11.05.2026 48min

  In this episode, Gem sits down with Heather Rice-Minus, President and CEO of Prison Fellowship, to explore what it means to follow Jesus in places that are complex, urgent, and often overlooked.   Heather shares how her calling into justice and prison ministry unfolded, from advocacy work that helped shape the First Step Act to her current leadership of one of the most influential prison ministries in the world. But this conversation goes beyond her role and into her life with God.   Together, they reflect on what she has learned from those who are incarcerated, how proximity to suffering reshapes our understanding of people and of God, and what Jesus may have meant when he said, “I was in prison and you came to visit me.”   They also explore the tension between urgency and presence, and how an unhurried life is not only possible, but necessary, even in work that carries real weight.   If you care deeply about making a difference but feel tired, stretched, or unsure how to keep going, this conversation offers a grounded and hopeful way forward.   You’ll also hear: The unexpected discovery of joy among the incarcerated. Transformational leadership in the prison system. How slowing down can actually strengthen your leadership.   This is a conversation about justice, leadership, and the kind of life that can sustain both. _________________________________________ 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.
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  The Inner Conversion of a Leader 04.05.2026 18min

  Many Christian leaders begin their journey asking an important question: What can I accomplish for God?   But over time, a deeper question begins to emerge: What is God actually asking me to do?   In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling reflects on what he calls the inner conversion of a leader—the gradual shift from striving to do great things for God to learning how to work with God in the leadership we’ve been given.   Drawing from the insights of Thomas Green, the story of David and Nathan in Scripture, and the theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar, Alan explores how prayer reshapes our motives, how discernment guards us from misguided good intentions, and how leaders can learn to make room for the kingdom of God to work in and through them.   This episode invites leaders to consider a quieter, deeper way of leading—one rooted not in frantic effort, but in attentiveness to God’s presence and guidance.   If you find this conversation helpful, please subscribe to the Unhurried Living Podcast and share it with a friend or colleague who longs to rest deeper, live fuller, and lead better.   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.
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  The Paradigms Shaping Your Spiritual Life 27.04.2026 12min

  What central paradigms are shaping your faith in this season?   In this reflective episode, Gem Fadling explores the foundational beliefs that influence how we see God, ourselves, and others. From understanding God as love to rethinking time, character, leadership, and presence, this conversation invites you into deeper spiritual formation and practical growth.   If you long for a more grounded, unhurried life with God, this episode will help you clarify the truths you are living from and offer practical next steps toward transformation. _________________________________________ 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.
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  How Leaders Lose Their Way — A Conversation with Peter Greer 20.04.2026 40min

  Leadership failures rarely happen all at once. More often, they begin quietly—with small compromises, hurried lives, and a gradual drift away from the presence of God. In this episode, Alan talks with Peter Greer, president and CEO of HOPE International and coauthor of the new book How Leaders Lose Their Way. Drawing from the biblical story of Solomon and years of experience working with leaders around the world, Peter explores why even sincere and capable leaders can slowly drift from their calling. Together, Alan and Peter discuss the subtle forces that pull leaders off course—including achievement, isolation, and the “need for speed”—and the spiritual practices that help leaders stay rooted in Christ and finish well.   In this episode, you’ll discover: Why leadership failure rarely happens suddenly What the life of Solomon reveals about leadership drift How hurry quietly erodes a leader’s soul Why isolation makes leaders vulnerable to losing their way Spiritual practices that help leaders stay close to Jesus   Whether you are leading a church, a team, a ministry, or a business, this conversation offers wisdom for staying grounded in Christ and leading from a deeper place of presence. Resources Mentioned How Leaders Lose Their Way – Peter Greer & Jill Heisey   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.
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  Trusting God When the Future Feels Uncertain (Tim and Hillary Timmons) 13.04.2026 47min

  How do you trust God when the future feels fragile?   In this conversation, Tim and Hilary Timmons share their journey of living with an incurable cancer diagnosis and discovering a deeper, more intentional faith along the way. Rather than shrinking their lives, suffering became an invitation into daily life with Jesus.   Together we explore spiritual growth through hardship, the tension of grief and gratitude, marriage under pressure, and what it really means to follow Jesus beyond Sunday church services.   This episode speaks to anyone navigating fear of the future, chronic illness, uncertainty, or the quiet longing for more in the Christian life. It’s a conversation about hope, resilience, spiritual formation, and waking up to the presence of God in ordinary moments.   If you’re searching for peace in uncertainty or wondering whether joy is possible in the middle of hardship, this episode offers a grounded and honest path forward.   _________________________________________ 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.
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  When Leadership Feels Like It All Depends on You 06.04.2026 17min

  Strength is easy to admire. But in the kingdom of God, strength is not where leadership begins.   In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan explores a different vision of Christian leadership—one rooted not in self-sufficiency, but in shared weakness, daily dependence, and confidence in a living Christ.   Drawing from the witness of the Trappist monks of Algeria, the wisdom of Andrew Murray and A. W. Tozer, and insights from recovery communities, Alan reflects on what it means to lead from honesty rather than performance. If Jesus is truly alive, then leadership is not about managing a legacy—it is about participating in his present life.   In this episode, you’ll discover: Why shared weakness is essential for spiritual leadership• The difference between serving a memory and walking with a living Christ• What Andrew Murray called the “burning heart”• Why spiritual receptivity may be the defining quality of enduring leaders• A simple daily prayer that reshapes how you lead   If you’re feeling the quiet pressure to hold everything together, this episode will gently remind you that you were never meant to carry it alone.     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.
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  When Waiting Is the Wise Choice 30.03.2026 7min

  How do we serve faithfully without carrying more than we were meant to bear? In this episode, Gem reflects on poetry, discernment, and the spiritual practice of creating space to listen to God. A gentle invitation to slow down, trust, and offer yourself wisely in a world full of need. _________________________________________ 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.
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  Why Leadership Can't Outrun Formation (Jason Jensen) 23.03.2026 45min

  Why do so many capable leaders struggle to lead with integrity, humility, and discernment over the long haul?  In this episode, Alan Fadling talks with Jason Jensen, vice president of spiritual foundations for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and author of Formed to Lead. Drawing from Luke 3–4, Jason invites leaders to recover a vision of leadership rooted not in performance, but in spiritual formation—where identity precedes assignment, wilderness becomes a place of renewal, and discernment matters more than drive.  Together, they explore how leaders are shaped by pressure, why rest restores authority, and how a life deeply formed by love can sustain faithful leadership over a lifetime.      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.
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  When God Feels Far Away, Love is Still at Work (Whitney Lowe) 16.03.2026 40min

  What do you hold onto when God feels distant, faith feels fragile, and life feels overwhelming?   In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Gem Fadling welcomes author Whitney Lowe for a rich conversation about God’s steadfast love, spiritual identity, and the quiet work of healing and restoration. Drawing from Scripture and Whitney’s book Called Back to Who You Are, this episode explores what it means to return to God, not through striving, but through trust, rest, and remembering who you truly are.   This conversation is especially meaningful for anyone navigating spiritual burnout, doubt, or disconnection, and longing to experience God’s love in a deeper, more grounded way. _________________________________________ 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.
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  From Scribe to Prophet: Learning to See with God’s Eyes 09.03.2026 16min

  What’s the difference between knowing about God and truly being with God?   In this episode, Alan reflects on a question at the heart of the Christian life: Are we formed more as scribes—accurate, informed, articulate—or as prophets—people shaped by lived communion with the living God?   Drawing from voices like A. W. Tozer, Eugene Peterson, John of Ruusbroec, and Thomas H. Green, Alan explores the interior life Jesus invites us into—a life not marked by spiritual fireworks, but by learning to see ordinary life through the eyes of God.   This conversation invites pastors, leaders, and everyday followers of Jesus to slow down, listen deeply, and allow prayerful attentiveness to shape not only what we say about God, but who we are becoming in his presence.   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.