Being Known Podcast

We long for transformation and renewal, but how do we get it? The good news is that our brains are not fixed, but continue to be shaped by experience. Learn how new patterns of thinking, feeling, and relating can form when we encounter grace and truth in connection with others. Join us as we begin, again, the journey of becoming more fully known, loved, and alive. This season 1 encore episode is sponsored by Tabor College Master of Education in Neuroscience and Trauma. Joins us in October for the Center for Being Known annual Connections Conference. As a BKP listener, you can receive $50 off any ticket when you enter promo code CBK.BKPL.26 . . . . . Stay connected: Instagram, Facebook YouTube (Unedited videos of each episode AND the Post Show Conversation.) Please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode and we always welcome your reviews on Apple Podcasts. Sign up to access the Being Known Podcast applications, the weekly exercises that connect what you are learning to your life in a practical way.

What is the mind, and how do we begin to understand something that is constantly shaping how we see ourselves, God, and the world around us? In this episode, we explore what it means to think about the mind not just as a place of thoughts, but as a living, relational space formed by memory, attention, imagination, and desire. From there, we ask what a flourishing mind looks like—not one that is merely efficient or informed, but one that is integrated, open, and capable of love. If that is the goal, then what does it mean to love God with all of our mind? This conversation invites us to consider discipleship not just as behavior or belief, but as the ongoing transformation of how we perceive, interpret, and attend to reality itself. Join us as we begin, again, the journey of becoming more fully known, loved, and alive. This season 1 encore episode is sponsored by Tabor College Master of Education in Neuroscience and Trauma. Joins us in October for the Center for Being Known annual Connections Conference. As a BKP listener, you can receive $50 off any ticket when you enter promo code CBK.BKPL.26 . . . . . Stay connected: Instagram, Facebook YouTube (Unedited videos of each episode AND the Post Show Conversation.) Please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode and we always welcome your reviews on Apple Podcasts. Sign up to access the Being Known Podcast applications, the weekly exercises that connect what you are learning to your life in a practical way.

We are inherently storytellers, constantly organizing our experiences into narratives that shape identity, perception, and meaning. In fact, we are such storytellers that those stories in which we believe we are living profoundly influence how we interpret joy, suffering, relationships, and even ourselves. If we want to heal, then, it’s time we look at those stories and learn how to see our lives through a larger story of grace, redemption, and belonging rather than failure or rejection. Join us as we begin, again, the journey of becoming more fully known, loved, and alive. This season 1 encore episode is sponsored by Tabor College Master of Education in Neuroscience and Trauma. Joins us in October for the Center for Being Known annual Connections Conference. As a BKP listener, you can receive $50 off any ticket when you enter promo code CBK.BKPL.26 . . . . . Stay connected: Instagram, Facebook YouTube (Unedited videos of each episode AND the Post Show Conversation.) Please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode and we always welcome your reviews on Apple Podcasts. Sign up to access the Being Known Podcast applications, the weekly exercises that connect what you are learning to your life in a practical way.

What if your deepest longings are pointing you toward God rather than away from Him? In this episode, Curt and Pepper explore how beauty awakens our souls, stirs hope, and reminds us of the goodness we were created to experience. They remind us that our desire is not something to suppress, but a gift that draws us into deeper relationship with God, others, and the world around us. Join us as we begin, again, the journey of becoming more fully known, loved, and alive. This season 1 encore episode is sponsored by Tabor College Master of Education in Neuroscience and Trauma. Joins us in October for the Center for Being Known annual Connections Conference. As a BKP listener, you can receive $50 off any ticket when you enter promo code CBK.BKPL.26 . . . . . Stay connected: Instagram, Facebook YouTube (Unedited videos of each episode AND the Post Show Conversation.) Please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode and we always welcome your reviews on Apple Podcasts. Sign up to access the Being Known Podcast applications, the weekly exercises that connect what you are learning to your life in a practical way.

In this Q&A style season finale of The Being Known Podcast, Curt, Amy, and Pepper reflect on the central theme of rupture and repair in our relationships with God, others, and ourselves. They explore the importance of grieving unrepaired wounds, modeling healthy repair for children, and approaching political differences with empathy and courage. This heartfelt conversation draws together the emotional and spiritual growth the season has cultivated, reminding us that conflict can be a catalyst for deeper connection. Episode Links and References Connections Conference 2025 (Belonging to Become) - Save $50 with code KNOWN50 when you register by June 30, 2025 . . . . . Stay connected: Instagram, Facebook YouTube (Unedited videos of each episode AND the Post Show Conversation.) Please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode and we always welcome your reviews on Apple Podcasts. Sign up to access the Being Known Podcast applications, the weekly exercises that connect what you are learning to your life in a practical way.

In this powerful episode of our Rupture and Repair series, we explore how resilience is formed—not by avoiding conflict or stress—but through our intentional engagement with rupture and our commitment to healing. Moreover, what if the work of repairing relational ruptures is not just for now—but actually preparing us for the kind of life we’ll live in the new heaven and new earth? We consider how repair, though often difficult and humbling, is a sacred act that reshapes us—personally, relationally, and spiritually. Drawing from biblical imagination, clinical wisdom, and interpersonal neurobiology, we look at how returning to one another with truth and care builds the kind of resilience that can carry us through suffering and into deeper connection. Whether you’re navigating conflict in your closest relationships or reflecting on the brokenness of the world, this conversation invites you to see repair as a courageous, hopeful practice that forms us for wholeness. . . . . . Stay connected: Instagram, Facebook YouTube (Unedited videos of each episode AND the Post Show Conversation.) Please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode and we always welcome your reviews on Apple Podcasts. Sign up to access the Being Known Podcast applications, the weekly exercises that connect what you are learning to your life in a practical way.

What happens when the fabric of our shared life begins to unravel — not just politically or culturally, but spiritually and relationally? In this episode, we explore the quiet violence of our age: the kind that doesn’t wield weapons but erodes connection through shame, contempt, and indifference. From echo chambers to avoidance, we examine how disconnection shapes our communities, our faith, and even our inner lives. Drawing from both Scripture and neuroscience, we unpack the psychological comfort of sameness — and how it ultimately deepens our fear and fragmentation. We reflect on how Jesus calls us into a radically different way of being: one rooted in reconciliation, presence, and courageous vulnerability. This isn’t a conversation about agreement. It’s about relationship. Not about tolerance, but about intimacy — the kind that invites us to engage across divides with humility and curiosity. Through honest stories, biblical insight, and compassionate reflection, we consider what it means to show up — truly show up — with those who see the world differently. And we name the cost of that kind of presence: the risk, the grief, the courage it takes to hold tension and move toward fracture lines rather than away from them. If you’re longing for connection but feeling the ache of division, this episode is an invitation — to pick up a needle and thread, to mend what’s been torn, and to begin again with a risky conversation, a porch sit, and the commitment to see the person in front of you as more than just the opinion they hold. . . . . . Stay connected: Instagram, Facebook YouTube (Unedited videos of each episode AND the Post Show Conversation.) Please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode and we always welcome your reviews on Apple Podcasts. Sign up to access the Being Known Podcast applications, the weekly exercises that connect what you are learning to your life in a practical way.

In this episode, we trace the journey of repair from the biblical story of Eden to the present-day church. We begin by looking at the rupture in Eden, the first human failure, which sets the stage for the entire narrative of repair in the Bible. The church, we argue, serves as the modern-day extension of God's original plan for renewal, where heaven and earth collide, and where God's work of restoration continues. Yet, this place of healing is also where significant ruptures can occur, often leaving members hurt and disillusioned. The conversation highlights the delicate balance between idealism and realism when it comes to the church's role in repairing relational fractures. The church, like any human system, is not immune to dysfunction, but it is also the place where God's mission of restoration is most powerfully present. We discuss how leaders in the church must navigate the complexities of repair, creating spaces of safety and vulnerability while also confronting their own wounds. This episode offers listeners a deeper understanding of how spiritual growth and relational healing are inextricably linked, both for individuals and the community as a whole. * * * Episode Links and References When Narcissism Comes to Church - Chuck DeGroat When the Church Harms People - Diane Langberg Redeeming Power: Understanding Power and Abuse in the Church - Diane Langberg Matthew 18:15-17 John 16:33 Artistic Offerings to Reflect On The Incredulity of Saint Thomas - painting by Caravaggio St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244) by Johann Sebastian Bach . . . . . Stay connected: Instagram, Facebook YouTube (Unedited videos of each episode AND the Post Show Conversation.) Please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode and we always welcome your reviews on Apple Podcasts. Sign up to access the Being Known Podcast applications, the weekly exercises that connect what you are learning to your life in a practical way.

This week is part 2 of our series on Timing, Tempo, and Time where we step into the nuanced terrain of what it actually takes to begin the work of repair. Whether we're the ones who caused harm, were impacted by it, or are caught in a mutual fracture, repair requires initiative—and initiative often requires courage. We explore how clarity about our role, our responsibility, and our relational context shapes how we move first (or why we hesitate to). But repair isn’t just about the decision to start—it’s also about the pace we keep. Some fractures can begin mending in a single moment; others need months of faithful return. This episode invites us to consider the rhythm of healing, the emotional resistance that can surface, and why repair is not a performance to rush but a process to honor. When we learn to initiate repair at a sustainable tempo, we become people who actively resist disintegration—and participate in the restoration of what’s been broken. Episode Links and References Genesis 3:15 – The first mention of God's promise to repair rupture. The Soul of Shame - Curt Thompson, MD The Wounded Heart - Dan Allender The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel van der Kolk After the Affair - Janis Spring . . . . . Stay connected: Instagram, Facebook YouTube (Unedited videos of each episode AND the Post Show Conversation.) Please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode and we always welcome your reviews on Apple Podcasts. Sign up to access the Being Known Podcast applications, the weekly exercises that connect what you are learning to your life in a practical way.

Healing is not just about what happens to us, but also about how we choose to communicate our experiences, both to ourselves and to others. The stories we tell ourselves—about past pain, trauma, or failures—are powerful, and they shape our reality. But have you ever considered how the way we communicate these stories to ourselves can affect our ability to heal? When we rely on certain mediums, like self-talk or journaling, the way we present the message to ourselves can either block or facilitate healing. By shifting our internal communication methods, we can alter the message and, consequently, the way we process our emotions and experiences. In this episode, we explore the profound connection between the medium of communication and personal healing. Whether it’s through art, writing, meditation, or conversations with loved ones, the medium we use can impact how we perceive and internalize the messages we’re telling ourselves. How do we shift our narrative from one of pain and defeat to one of empowerment and resilience? By considering the ways different mediums influence the healing process, we can find new tools to transform the messages that hold us back. Tune in as we discuss how changing the medium can help rewrite the message of healing in our lives. * * * Episode Links and References Exodus 24, 31-34 Deuteronomy 9:9–19 Psalm 106:19–23 . . . . . Stay connected: Instagram, Facebook YouTube (Unedited videos of each episode AND the Post Show Conversation.) Please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode and we always welcome your reviews on Apple Podcasts. Sign up to access the Being Known Podcast applications, the weekly exercises that connect what you are learning to your life in a practical way.

Saying "no" can feel uncomfortable, but it is a crucial part of growth, both for ourselves and in our relationships. In this episode, we explore the concept of limit-setting ruptures—those moments where boundaries create tension, discomfort, and even distance, but ultimately lead to maturity and deeper connection. Drawing from psychology, neuroscience, and biblical narratives, we discuss how setting limits helps shape our character, why it's necessary for personal and spiritual development, and how it teaches us emotional regulation. Whether you're a parent setting boundaries for your child, someone navigating addiction recovery, or simply trying to manage your daily commitments, this episode will provide insights into how embracing limits can lead to greater freedom and fulfillment. We discuss how the brain undergoes "pruning" to refine skills, how children develop emotional regulation through parental boundaries, and how even Jesus modeled the power of necessary separations. We’ll also tackle the emotional impact of limit-setting, from the pain of telling a parent they can no longer drive to the discomfort of quitting unhealthy behaviors. If you want to learn how to set limits in a way that fosters growth, self-control, and deeper relationships, this episode is for you. Episode Links and References Genesis (Adam and Eve) – The concept of rupture and repair is tied to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, their immaturity, the test they faced, and the consequences of their choices (Genesis 2–3). Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:6-7) – God telling Cain, “Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” This is presented as a test and a moment of rupture. Numbers 34 – God defining the boundaries of Israel, in contrast to empires that constantly expand their borders. John 16 – Jesus telling His disciples, "I must go," explaining that His departure is necessary for the arrival of the Holy Spirit. Interpersonal neurobiology – While not a scripture, this scientific concept is tied to biblical themes of growth, pruning, and discipline (which could be linked to passages like John 15:2, “Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful”). . . . . . Stay connected: Instagram, Facebook YouTube (Unedited videos of each episode AND the Post Show Conversation.) Please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode and we always welcome your reviews on Apple Podcasts. Sign up to access the Being Known Podcast applications, the weekly exercises that connect what you are learning to your life in a practical way.

Growth is often born from disruption, and in this episode, we explore how ruptures—whether in relationships, routines, or neural pathways—create opportunities for expansion and integration. We examine the physiological parallels of growth, from bone density to neuroplasticity, and dive deep into the critical role of repair in relationships. Drawing on longitudinal studies of shy children and the biblical perspective on stress, we illustrate how intentional engagement and attunement pave the way for personal and communal transformation. Curt and Pepper offer person examples to illustrate how the stress of transition, from toddler tantrums to adolescent resistance, can be a gateway to deeper resilience and connection. . . . . . Stay connected: Instagram, Facebook YouTube (Unedited videos of each episode AND the Post Show Conversation.) Please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode and we always welcome your reviews on Apple Podcasts. Sign up to access the Being Known Podcast applications, the weekly exercises that connect what you are learning to your life in a practical way.

In this episode of The Being Known Podcast, Curt Thompson, MD and Pepper Sweeney explore the increasing societal fragility and its impact on our ability to repair relational ruptures. They discuss how diminished resilience and imagination hinder our capacity to connect, drawing insights from biblical narratives and interpersonal neurobiology. This conversation addresses the challenges posed by social divisions, the concept of "othering," and the importance of community in fostering healing and restoration. They invite you, the listener, to reflect on your own experiences of rupture and repair, considering the role of faith and community in navigating these challenges. Episode Links and References John 16:33 1 Peter 5:10 . . . . . Stay connected: Instagram, Facebook YouTube (Unedited videos of each episode AND the Post Show Conversation.) Please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode and we always welcome your reviews on Apple Podcasts. Sign up to access the Being Known Podcast applications, the weekly exercises that connect what you are learning to your life in a practical way.