Face to Face Podcast

E188 | Susan Carson | Safe Enough to Heal: Why the Church Gets Trauma Wrong and What to Do Instead Welcome to the Face to Face podcast and episode 188 with spiritual director and author Susan Carson. Susan tells her story of meeting Jesus at 18, later experiencing spiritual trauma, and moving into a contemplative path of prayer and inner healing. We talk about how neuroscience, Christian mystics (especially Julian of Norwich), and the biblical idea of kenosis (Philippians 2) come together in her "safe space" approach—noise-free, shame-free, and formula-free—focused on embodied, face-to-face connection. We discuss how church environments can be unsafe and harmful, why healing is low-and-slow rather than a quick fix, what it cost Susan relationally (including LGBTQIA+ convictions), and her new book releasing May 5, with more at susancarson.net. Instagram: @susancarsonauthor YouTube: @SusanCarson Substack: @susancarsonauthor 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:29 Episode Intro and Summer Plans 02:38 Meet Susan Carson 05:04 Her Spiritual Journey 08:17 Mystics Meet Neuroscience 12:29 Kenosis and Healing Space 16:14 Good News After Deconstruction 23:10 Church Safety and Trauma 25:47 Book Controversies and Costs 28:13 Safety and Trauma Basics 29:05 Church Culture and Safe Spaces 29:50 Leaders Doing Inner Work 31:23 The Quick Fix Myth 32:33 Contemplative Healing Journey 36:59 What Contemplative Really Means 39:22 Low and Slow Rewiring 42:40 Book Takeaways and Release Info 45:50 Thesis Origins and Farewell 47:05 Podcast Wrap Up

E177 | Michael John Cusick | Authenticity: The Path to Wholeness Welcome to Episode 177 of the Face to Face Podcast! Today we discuss their Immanuel Approach course levels and introduce their special guest, Michael John Cusick. Cusick, an author, podcaster, and therapist, shares his remarkable story of overcoming early-life trauma. The conversation delves into themes of vulnerability, the importance of embodied spirituality, and doing personal work for healing. Practical insights and valuable advice on experiencing God's love and navigating trauma are key highlights. 00:00 Introduction to the Face to Face Podcast 00:28 Upcoming Courses and Announcements 01:52 Introducing Michael John Cusick 02:39 Michael's Personal Journey and Professional Work 04:40 The Power of Vulnerability and Humility 08:05 Restoring the Soul: Intensive Counseling Ministry 09:54 Challenges and Growth in Personal Relationships 16:41 The Importance of Embodied Spirituality 38:51 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Episodes

In Episode 175 we share part two of our enlightening discussion with Bishop Chris Green. This episode covers significant topics such as understanding trauma, the role of suffering in life, and the differences between tenderness and vulnerability. Chris provides profound insights into how one's view of God affects their emotional responses and emphasizes the importance of leaning into our humanity and finite nature. The episode also underscores the importance of embracing one's unique way of experiencing God, whether as a 'sea' or a 'cup,' and finding peace within that framework. Additionally, we highlight the Understanding Trauma course available at Immanuelinstitute.com. 00:00 Introduction to the Face-to-Face Podcast 00:33 Episode 175: Part Two with Bishop Chris Green 01:00 Understanding Trauma Course Announcement 01:53 Diving Back into the Conversation with Chris Green 02:00 Theology and Tenderness: A Deep Dive 11:02 The Role of Suffering in the Christian Life 18:37 The Illusion of Control and Embracing Weakness 26:05 Healing, Isolation, and Theological Anchoring 32:47 Final Thoughts and Benediction 38:58 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Content

In this episode of the Face to Face Podcast, we continue our insightful discussion with Dr. Baxter Kruger. We explore the significance of union with Jesus, practical ways it manifests in daily life, and how to recognize Jesus' presence in everyday actions. Our conversation also highlights upcoming events and courses from the Immanuel Institute that delve deeper into cultivating a closer relationship with Jesus. Dr. Kruger shares profound stories and joyful revelations, emphasizing the importance of embracing one's inherent connection with Jesus and viewing life through the lens of this union. 00:00 Introduction to the Face to Face Podcast 00:28 Upcoming Events and Announcements 02:35 Introduction to Dr. Baxter Kruger 02:45 Understanding Union with Jesus 04:07 Practical Examples of Union 05:04 Jesus' Presence in Daily Life 07:53 The Role of Faith and Delusion 13:57 The True Gospel and Identity 14:22 Jesus' Teachings and Miracles 18:20 The Simplicity of Walking with Jesus 23:03 Final Thoughts and Homework 24:11 Understanding Darkness and Light 24:37 Baby Steps and Love 25:07 Creativity and Divine Gifts 25:37 The Journey of Awakening 27:21 Union and Non-Duality 29:32 Hearing God's Voice 31:02 Facing Pain and Finding Jesus 36:03 The Power of the Gospel 42:13 Resources and Recommendations 46:04 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Join us for a powerful episode of the Face to Face Podcast as we sit down with Dr. Margaret Nagib, a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience, to explore the integration of faith, psychology, and nervous system healing. Discover how trauma responses shape our lives, why nervous system regulation is foundational for emotional and spiritual health, and practical steps for moving from survival to wholeness. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction 00:29 – Broadcasting from Lake Tahoe & Upcoming Courses 02:38 – Introducing Dr. Margaret Nagib 03:22 – Dr. Margaret's Background: Integrating Faith & Psychology 05:42 – The Evolution of Christian Psychology & Inner Healing 09:35 – Mind, Body, Spirit Integration Explained 13:22 – The Role of the Nervous System in Healing 18:23 – Why Nervous System Work is Trending 21:14 – Understanding Trauma Responses: Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn 24:11 – Real-Life Examples: People-Pleasing & Fawn Response 27:00 – How to Recognize and Shift Out of Trauma Responses 31:00 – Practical Tools for Regulation & Completing the Stress Cycle 35:00 – Recognizing Long-Term Patterns & Building Capacity 39:00 – The Foundation of Nervous System Work Key Topics: The integration of faith and psychology in healing How trauma responses (fight, flight, freeze, fawn) show up in daily life The importance of nervous system regulation for lasting change Practical tools for recognizing and shifting out of survival states Dr. Margaret's personal journey and resources Connect with Dr. Margaret Nagib: Instagram: @margaretnagib Website: thedunamisproject.org If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star review and visit facetofacenetwork.com for more resources!

In this episode of the Face to Face podcast, we engage in a profound conversation with Suhail Stephen, a spiritual director from Manitoba, Canada. We delve into Suhail's multicultural upbringing, his journey into spiritual direction, and the significance of the contemplative Christian tradition. We also discuss practical steps like the Daily Examen and the role of a spiritual director in deepening one's spiritual experience. Suhail shares his personal experiences and insights, making this episode a valuable resource for anyone interested in authentic spiritual growth and connection with God. 00:28 Exciting Announcements and Upcoming Events 01:50 Meet Our Special Guest: Suhail Stephen 06:30 Suhail's Journey and Cultural Experiences 12:54 Exploring Spirituality Across Cultures 22:45 The Path to Spiritual Direction 24:49 Understanding Spiritual Direction 26:02 Personal Journey with God 27:52 First Encounter with Spiritual Direction 28:52 Discovering the Call to Spiritual Direction 30:39 Training and Becoming a Spiritual Director 37:02 The Contemplative Tradition 46:40 Practical Steps for Spiritual Growth 50:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

E167 - Jessie Cruickshank - Part 1 | Understanding Identity & Faith Development In this episode, we introduce Jessie Cruickshank, a neuro-ecclesiologist with a background from Harvard. We discuss the concept of identity formation, delving into various phases of human development based on a theory Jessie evolved from Fowler's stages of faith development. The episode covers infancy and toddler stages, emphasizing the importance of naming and identity in the early years. Jessie shares insights on how our experiences shape our perception of self and God. We have compelling conversation on the significance of naming children and how it impacts their identity and faith journey. 00:28 California Vibes and Upcoming Events 01:25 Dash Away and Immanuel Institute Announcements 04:24 Introducing Jessie Cruickshank 05:13 Jessie Cruickshank's Background and Journey 14:32 Neuro Ecclesiology and Organizational Psychology 19:08 The Art of Connection: Sales Techniques and Attunement 21:01 Exploring Identity Formation Theory 22:44 The Journey of Faith Development 24:41 Introducing Identity Formation Theory 27:06 The Role of Caregivers in Spiritual Development 34:13 The Importance of Naming and Identity 37:52 Helping Others Discover Their True Identity 42:31 Conclusion and Next Steps

In this episode, we discuss important shifts, including the transition from 'Face to Face Ministries' to 'Face to Face Network'. We had an excellent conversation with David Tensen, an Australian philosopher, teacher, chaplain, and poet, known for his profound insights into eldering and inner healing. David shares his journey through advanced pastoral care, internal healing methods, and his new book, 'Decenter Everything'. The conversation delves into why decentering is essential, especially the critical distinction between centering God versus our construct of God. David also touches on the Life Model's stages of human development, and the urgent need to embrace eldering in a world stuck in adolescent and early adulthood stages. Tune in for part two to explore deeper into the concept of decentering God. 00:32 Exciting Changes and New Beginnings 01:15 Rebranding to Face-to-Face Network 02:05 The Vision and Philosophy Behind the Network 04:16 Challenges with the Term 'Ministries' 06:48 Upcoming Events and Website Changes 07:29 Introducing Our Guest: David Tenson 10:37 David Tenson's Background and Work 22:53 Reflecting on Ministry and Personal Challenges 23:48 Discovering the Life Model 24:35 Experiencing Burnout and Transitioning to Academia 26:55 Writing and Publishing 'The Wrestle' 27:42 Introducing 'Decenter Everything' 28:29 Exploring the Life Model Stages 32:39 The Concept of Eldering 37:57 The Call to Decenter Everything 40:41 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions To learn more about David's work: https://davidtensen.com/