Why I Write About What’s Interesting (to Me)
Or, on not building an audience (sorry to disappoint)
“It's much more important to stay interested than to be interesting.” ~Jane Fonda (maybe?)
“To be interesting, be interested.” ~Dale Carnegie
In a sense, that is what I’m doing here.
I’m interested in linking relational neuroscience and spiritual formation. And more broadly, how scientific insights in how and why humans act the way we do (exploring our nature as animals) connect to the spiritual aspects of being human (exploring our nature as made in God’s image).
That’s what I’m interested in.
I hope you find it interesting.
(A couple years ago I was so mystified by my excitement in attachment theory and interpersonal neurobiology, that I was praying about it and asking Jesus why I’m reading all this stuff. And I hear back that Jesus was just as excited as I was. And that was enough for me. I put it on a note card to remind myself.)
Not Trying to Grow an Audience
Me being interested in relational neuroscience and spiritual formation probably won’t lead to growing an audience.
And I certainly don’t want to be captured by an audience, where some anonymous group of people guides and directs, or worse, demands, that I write, think, and act a certain way.
I have seen people (often writing about politics or theology) creep, edge, and then race toward the margins (left or right), first beginning with the hope of defending what they think is a marginalized, neglected, or oppressed group, and then ending in an echo chamber of people who are disappointed if you don’t write what they expected you to write, and so they make sure never to do that.
Sounds awful.
So, I’ll be upfront.
My writing will disappoint you.
Sometimes.
I’m eventually going to press my finger into a topic and you might not like it.
I write and podcast about the need to be trauma-informed. But I also push back against how “trauma” sometimes gets thrown around in such a casual way, and that it should redefine all theological and spiritual categories.
I write and podcast about the need for mental health awareness. But I also push back against the assumption that mental health categories are the best and most useful way to talk about ourselves or our spiritual formation.
I want people to grow in self-compassion. But I think Jesus calls us to this through self-sacrifice.
In a sense, while talking about relational neuroscience, I have a strong sense that spiritual formation is deeper and more important than all that science (as important as it is).
So, if I don’t say, write, or respond how you think is best. No problem. It’s bound to happen.
And I’m not really a writer…
I don’t aspire to be a writer. I never have. Which is kind of funny since I’ve written three books, working on a fourth, and already planning a fifth...and I’ve been blogging forever.
But I’m more of a resourcer (if that’s a word…which a writer would know—*shrug*).
I research what I find interesting and useful, and offer different versions of it to people as resources.
— Past Resources on faith and theology —
So, that’s what I’m doing here.
Why Paid Subscriptions?
As a resourcer (again, probably not a word), while I want to give away as much as possible (see above list), it takes time and access to resources (mainly books, and some trainings) to do this.
And so your $8 paid subscription helps me redeem the time so that I can keep making these resources.
So, if you find these posts, podcasts, and other resources helpful, please support it for $8 a month (which is like one fancy coffee date with me, or buying half a book).
And maybe consider it a ministry cost and put it on the church card if you are in minister. I don’t know, call it professional development or something…
I like the word, "Resourcer", mostly I've thought of my self in the same way. It's also the reason I follow you because you are a reliable resource for me on all things neuroscience and spiritual but you also are willing to push back on easy answers, which also means you think more deeply about concepts and see the nuances most of us miss.