E187 | Dr. Jason Swan Clark | Trauma Healing, Mental Health and Ignatian Spiritual Exercises

About this episode

Dr. Jason Swan Clark discusses his traumatic childhood, faith journey, and the integration of mental health and Ignatian spirituality.

In episode 187, we welcome Dr. Jason Swan Clark, a professor, spiritual director, former pastor, and theologian, who recounts his traumatic childhood, coming to faith at 17, decades of church planting and pastoral leadership, a nervous breakdown at 30, and ongoing work integrating mental health and faith. Jason describes how suffering shaped his leadership, distinguishes healing from transformation, and explains Ignatian spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises, including consolation/desolation and a practical discernment process. He closes with a personal story of meeting Jesus in Gethsemane through the Exercises during COVID and shares where to find his work online. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:29 Episode 187 Milestone 01:14 Institute Updates 02:40 Meet Jason Swan Clark 04:25 Setting the Conversation 06:17 Jason's Origin Story 08:34 Breakdown and Calling 09:45 Waverley Abbey Vision 13:21 Trauma Survival and Escape 18:20 Workaholism as Coping 24:22 Trauma Shaping Leadership 31:10 Healing vs Transformation 34:46 Wanting More Than Healing 36:30 Healing Through Participation 40:04 Embracing the Cross 42:25 Trauma and Purpose 46:30 Ignatius and the Exercises 51:34 Discernment Made…

People in this episode

Hosts: Cathy Little, Melinda Wilson

Guest: Dr. Jason Swan Clark

Topics covered

• trauma healing
• mental health
• Ignatian spirituality
• faith integration
• leadership
• personal story

Keywords

• trauma
• mental health
• Ignatian Exercises
• spirituality
• leadership
• healing
• transformation
• discernment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Waverley Abbey, Institute

Places: Gethsemane

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