Why am I starting an Embodied Faith substack?

Duh. To have a place just for neuroscience + spiritual formation. And I want you to join the conversation.

Reason 1: For connecting to podcast listeners

Cyd and I want a way to connect with Embodied Faith podcast listeners more, to keep the conversation going in an easy manner.

(If you don’t know who Cyd Holsclaw is, she’s an integrative and trauma-informed coach (PCC), spiritual director, author, and co-host of Embodied Faith, and my wife).

Reason 2: For a dedicated place for these thoughts

Because when it comes to integrating relational neuroscience and spiritual formation, I wanted a dedicated place for my thoughts, questions, musings, and critical reflections.

And I figured some of you want to hear just these thoughts, not stuff about all things theology, church, and culture.

As a public theologian, pastor, blogger, and social-media-time-waster over the last 20 years (yes, I’ve had a blog for 20 years), I talk about all sorts of things. Like theories of the atonement, church and politics, and the Bible.

But in the last 6 years, I’ve made a hard turn into integrating theology and neuroscience, particularly attachment theory and spiritual formation.

Only Neuroscience Here!
And Spiritual Formation

So, for the sake of…

• easier organization,

• and for those readers & listeners who only want to focus on this integration of relational neuroscience and spiritual formation,

… I decided to start this substack.

What to Expect?

I’m hoping to post 2-3 time a week on

• articles or books I’m reading

• reflections on the Bible from a relational neuroscience perspective

• connections to spiritual formation and discipleship.

Is this Free? Yes, and No

• FREE:

  • Written posts

  • podcasts

  • and comments

• FOR PAID SUPPORTERS:

  • Live chats

  • commentary videos

  • and discounts on learning cohorts

Why not all free?

1. And I know many of your want to support the Cyd and I are doing (so this makes for an easier way to do that—but supporting here through our non-profit is the best way to support the Holsclaws because substack and stripe take up 15% here).

2. Because I have skin in the game and I long to build a community conversation of people with skin in the game.

I have skin in the game.

Cyd and I are making this exploration of Embodied Faith, this integration of neuroscience and spiritual formation, our primary work (with individuals and churches).

We aren’t broke (yet… ;-) ).
But we aren’t getting rich either.

We are stepping out in faith, connecting with individuals and churches, and footing the bills for equipment, hosting fees, streaming subscriptions, and other things.

So becoming a paying partner helps the Holsclaws tremendously (and please work with us more closely if you are an individual or coach).

I want you to have skin in the game.

To comment, join the chats, and get the videos, we want people who really want to contribute to the conversation (not just people who want to get in a fight/criticize).