E185 | Paul Young | Embracing Uncertainty: Finding Truth in the Unknowing - Part 1

E185 | Paul Young | Embracing Uncertainty: Finding Truth in the Unknowing - Part 1 We are excited to  welcome back one of our favorites -  Paul Young (author of The Shack) for part one of a two-episode conversation, while also sharing updates on Immanuel Approach for Life Level 1 and 2 cohorts and a Wheaton College research team studying the model's efficacy.    Paul reflects on the necessity of "unknowing" as humility and openness, contrasting intellectual belief with whole-person trust and relational knowing. The discussion explores trauma and religious performance as obstacles to embodying God's goodness, emphasizing awareness of an always-present union/non-separation with God rather than earning it.  Paul critiques fear-based theology and transactional faith, reframes Hebrews 11's "substance" as Jesus, and offers a practical way to interrupt panic and future-tripping by asking, "What do I know is true right now?"   00:35 Training Cohorts Update 01:15 Research Study Spotlight 01:30 Introducing Paul Young 02:21 Cloud of Unknowing 02:46 Letting Go of Certainty 05:06 Trust Beyond Head Knowledge 12:09 Union Versus Awareness 13:44 Unconditional Father Love 20:06 Trauma Shapes Theology 23:24 Gods Character Questioned 25:45 Knowing Versus Believing 31:32 Removing Barriers to Love 31:55 Untangling Dark Religion 33:44 Grief Without Losing Trust 35:33 Separation Distorts Faith 36:59 Hospital Story Faith Shame 41:31 Hebrews 11 Jesus Substance 45:03 Union Mystics And Indwelling 50:08 Eden God Never Turns Away 53:17 Agency Submission Not Control 55:04 Fear Love And Inner Work 58:41 Present Tense Stops Panic 01:00:11 Closing Thanks And Outro

Episode 184: Dr. Bob Schuchts on Healing the Whole Person, Spiritual Formation, and Bridging Catholic–Protestant Divides On Episode 184 of the Face to Face Podcast, we welcome Dr. Bob Schuchts, founder of the John Paul II Healing Center, to discuss healing ministry from a Catholic perspective and its overlap with the Immanuel Approach. Dr. Schuchts shares his background as a longtime therapist, a pivotal spiritual encounter that led him to study many prayer modalities, and his current work offering healing and training conferences that emphasize safety, surrender to the Holy Spirit, abiding, discerning inner movements, addressing barriers, and practicing prayer ministry. The conversation explores healing as an ongoing encounter with God's love and truth that brings wholeness and communion, the link between healing prayer and spiritual formation, the "seven deadly wounds," and how sacraments and interdenominational bridge-building relate to unity and integrity in the body of Christ.  00:29 Episode and Course Updates 01:11 Meet Dr Bob Schuchts 03:13 Bob's Healing Journey 07:15 Training and Conferences 11:59 Healing and Formation 15:50 Seven Deadly Wounds 22:19 Catholic and Protestant Bridges 24:50 Baptism and Salvation 26:10 Confession and Forgiveness 27:09 Eucharist and Real Presence 27:42 Confirmation Marriage Orders 29:14 Anointing and Healing 29:50 Sacraments Heal Roots 30:44 Bridging Denominations 35:05 Unity and Communion Boundaries 39:49 Integrity and Marriage Analogy 42:29 Healing Grace and Cooperation 44:00 Resources and Closing Thanks

Wayne Jacobson on Experiencing God's Love, Presence, and Freedom Beyond Performance | Face to Face Podcast Ep. 183 In this episode of the Face to Face Podcast, we interview author and former pastor Wayne Jacobson about moving from a transactional, performance-based faith to an experiential life rooted in God's affection, presence, and fullness. Wayne shares his background, ministry disillusionment, repeated experiences of betrayal, and how God's presence slowly meets people in pain and trauma. He explains how a curative (not punitive) view of the atonement reshaped his view of the Father, argues that transformation comes through relational engagement with God rather than information alone, and critiques Christianity as a sin- or shame-management system. He discusses community as a gift cultivated through hospitality and friendship, points listeners to his book He Loves Me and his websites, and closes by praying for listeners to relax into the "unforced rhythms of grace." 00:26 Meet Wayne Jacobson 01:08 Level One Invitation 02:07 Trauma Course Preview 03:15 Why This Interview Matters 04:57 Wayne's Journey Begins 07:30 Betrayal and Presence 09:41 From Earning to Love 16:18 Atonement Reframed 20:16 Engagement Over Information 24:30 Belonging Before Behaving 28:00 Affection Presence Fullness 29:12 Rethinking Sin and Shame 30:29 Sin Management Trap 32:02 Righteousness as Justice 33:26 Relational Justice Through Love 35:49 God Inside Our Failures 37:08 Lifting the Legalism Veil 40:11 Unforced Rhythms of Grace 46:17 Engagement Over Doctrine 51:08 Fear of Hell and Salvation Now 53:25 Finding Real Community 58:26 Resources and Final Blessing 01:01:29 Closing Reflections and Outro

Brian Zahnd on Christian Nationalism, the Kingdom of Jesus, and a More Beautiful Christianity | Face to Face Podcast Ep. 182   In episode 182 of the podcast, Melinda interviews pastor, author, and theologian Brian Zahnd (Word of Life Church, St. Joseph, Missouri), while co-host Cathy is absent due to losing her voice and shares updates on Immanuel Institute trainings and the standalone Understanding Trauma Course. Zahnd recounts leading one congregation for 44 years, the church's early rapid growth, and a major theological recalibration that moved them toward the Christian tradition and away from politicized rezligion—costing them about 1,500 people between roughly 2004–2014—followed by healing on a 40-day Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in 2016. The conversation contrasts the kingdom of Jesus with Christian nationalism, critiques reducing "Christian" to an adjective serving political agendas, and emphasizes that discipleship requires allegiance to Christ over nation while maintaining a church culture marked by kindness amid political differences. Zahnd centers his theology on "God is like Jesus," argues Jesus reveals God as Savior rather than saving us from God, commends the historic creeds as generous guardrails, and discusses leaning into the "beautiful" as cruciform Christianity, along with his books and an upcoming release, The Unseen Realm (May 19). 02:08 Meet Brian Zahnd: Pastor, Author, Pilgrim 04:05 44 Years at One Church: Calling, Team Leadership & Generations 07:56 A Midlife Faith Shift: From Mega-Growth to Recalibrating Christianity 10:48 Critiquing America, Losing 1500 People & Finding Healing on the Camino 13:39 Kingdom of Jesus vs. Christian Nationalism: Where Allegiance Belongs 19:29 America as Nation, Empire, and "Religion" + The Discipleship Challenge 24:37 'Christian Nation' Myths, Founding Fathers & Why You Can't Baptize a Country  27:33 Global Perspective: Sweden, Trump, Team-Sport Politics & Choosing Love  33:52 Creating a Kind Church Culture Across Political Differences 35:42 Seeing God Through Jesus (Not Culture or Politics) 37:14 John's Prologue: Why Jesus Is the Clearest Revelation of God 40:35 Undoing the 'Angry God' Imagination: Jesus Doesn't Save Us From God 43:44 Creeds, Control, and the 'Heretic' Label: Keeping Christianity Generous 47:04 Making Room for Mystery: Truth, Goodness, and the Power of Beauty 51:43 Cruciform Beauty in Practice: Open Hands, Leading Without Coercion 55:20 Staying With the Church: Family, Calling, and Local Influence 57:21 Books, New Release, and Reclaiming a Non-Escapist Heaven  01:02:40 What Christ Can Bless + The 'Christian' Label + A Final Blessing https://brianzahnd.com/

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Face to Face Podcast. In episode 181, we are honored to introduce Jason Twombly, also known as the Heartsmith. Jason is a spiritual development coach working primarily with men to transform their pain into power, hurt into healing, and wounds into wisdom. Dive deep into discussions about emotional maturity, trauma processing, and the journey of healing with God. Discover how Jason's personal journey and professional guidance are helping men reconnect with their true selves and cultivate meaningful relationships. Join us for an exploration of vulnerability, emotional safety, and authentic living.    00:36 How to Get Involved with the Immanuel Institute 02:33 Introducing Jason Twombly: The Heartsmith 04:14 Jason's Journey and Work with Men 07:13 The Importance of Emotional Health for Men 10:19 Jason's Personal Transformation 13:29 Challenges and Breakthroughs in Emotional Healing 21:25 The Second Half of Life: Unlearning and Surrender 23:51 A Message for Men: Recognizing the Need for Help 25:12 Helping Men Rediscover Passion and Purpose 25:57 Transforming Pain into Power 27:29 The Importance of Vulnerability and Safe Spaces 28:10 Grief and Healing: A Personal Journey 31:51 The Role of Self-Leadership and Emotional Sovereignty 33:56 The Continuous Journey of Healing 35:22 The Power of Community and Relationships 42:40 The Abyss of the Heart: A Deeper Dive 43:38 Training Men for Emotional Competence 47:02 Encouraging Men to Seek Healing 49:03 Conclusion and Call to Action Resources Mentioned:  Immanuel Institute: Immanuelinstitute.com  Jason Twombly: jasontwombly.com; The Heartsmith Coach on Substack; Book: Jesus Comforts - A Devotional from Heartache to Healing  Contact & More Info:  Face to Face Network: facetofacenetwork.org Don't forget to leave a five-star review and subscribe for more empowering episodes! 

In this enlightening episode of the Face to Face Podcast, we sit down with Bill Vanderbush to explore the simplicity and depth of the gospel. Bill dives deep into the contrast between modern Western Christianity and the early church teachings, emphasizing the importance of understanding our identity through Christ.   We discuss the pitfalls of performance-based faith, the transformative power of grace, and the importance of awakening to our true relationship with God as a loving Father. Bill also shares his thoughts on the current reformation in the church and how it's reshaping believers' understanding of the gospel.   Tune in for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation that challenges conventional religious beliefs and invites listeners into a deeper, more intimate walk with God.   00:00 Introduction and Announcements 01:07 Introducing Bill Vanderbush 02:53 Bill Vanderbush on Union and Grace 04:53 Complications in Modern Christianity 05:46 The True Essence of the Gospel 08:00 The Fatherhood of God 15:53 Reformation and Awakening  22:46 Healing Trauma Bonds with God 33:09 Grace and Faith: A Gift from God 34:13 The Evolution of Paul's Teachings 37:20 Childlike Wonder in Faith 40:28 Living in Reconciled Rest 46:13 The True Nature of the Gospel 50:47 The Role of Theology and Reformation 51:53 Final Thoughts and Encouragement More info: billvanderbush.com

E179 | Discovering the Self with Adam Young: The Role of Neuroscience in Faith (Exploring Attachment and Brain Science with Adam Young)   In this episode we welcome therapist and author Adam Young to discuss the profound impact of early caregiver relationships on how we relate to God. Young explains the importance of understanding our attachment history and the significant influence of early life experiences on brain development. We delve into topics such as narrative therapy, the role of the nervous system, and the importance of paying attention to one's body and internal experiences. Young highlights the necessity of addressing trauma and harmful experiences to achieve personal freedom and a better understanding of oneself. He emphasizes the continuous practice of introspection and attunement to one's body as vital for personal growth and well-being.   00:00 Introduction to the Face-to-Face Podcast 00:28 Exploring Attachment and God 01:13 The Impact of Early Experiences on Our Relationship with God 03:51 Understanding the Importance of Our Stories 04:47 The Role of the Nervous System in Trauma and Healing 08:42 The Power of Attention and Interoception 23:34 Embracing Self-Sovereignty and Personal Responsibility 33:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts     https://adamyoungcounseling.com/

In this episode of the Face to Face Podcast, we welcome bestselling author and professional counselor Jenna Riemersma to discuss Internal Family Systems (IFS). Dropping during Christmas week, the episode focuses on deeper connection and healing practices. Jenna explains the significance of IFS, a therapeutic model emphasizing the importance of embracing all aspects of oneself, even those that are challenging. She shares insights on welcoming and understanding these parts through self-compassion and curiosity, aligning them with one's divine essence. The conversation also touches on critical distinctions between parts and their burdens, emphasizing the need for relational healing rather than control. Jenna concludes with a guided meditation, assisting listeners in moving toward their inner parts with kindness. The episode encourages journaling reflections, and reminds listeners about the valuable resources available through Jenna's website, MoveToward.com, and her upcoming book, 'Move Toward.'   00:00 Introduction and Holiday Greetings 00:46 Interview with Jenna Riemersma 02:22 Immanuel Institute Enrollment 04:30 Jenna Riemersma's Background and IFS 07:11 Understanding Internal Family Systems (IFS) 09:53 Practical Applications of IFS 17:26 Addressing Challenging Parts 25:01 Healing Through Relationship and Compassion 28:50 Understanding Parts Work 30:02 Compassionate Approach to Self-Hatred 31:19 Welcoming Resistance and Concerns 33:42 Spiritual and Faith-Based Integration 38:37 Practical Steps for Self-Compassion 40:29 Guided Meditation for Parts Work 51:45 Reflections on the Meditation Experience 58:03 Final Thoughts and Resources 01:04:39 Conclusion and Farewell

The Journey to Wholeness with Michael John Cusick - Part 2 In this episode of the Face to Face Podcast, we continue our insightful conversation with Michael John Cusick. We are excited to invite you to join our Level 1 and Level 2 Immanuel Approach training sessions starting in December and January. Michael delves into various topics, including spiritual disciplines, mysticism, and the importance of understanding our inherent brokenness through five Ws: wretchedness, weakness, woundedness, warfare, and wiring. He emphasizes the need to reframe our perceptions of spiritual performance and the profound impact of recognizing God's constant presence. The episode ends with information on how to support the podcast and more resources for deeper connection and lasting freedom. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:40 Listener Feedback and Apology 02:37 Immanuel Approach Training Details 04:53 Introduction to Michael Cusick's Interview 05:17 Experiencing God in Everyday Life 14:20 Understanding Human Brokenness 20:54 The Impact of Personal Limitations 21:30 Embracing Vulnerabilities 22:12 The Power of Weakness 24:08 Understanding Woundedness 25:15 The Reality of Spiritual Warfare 26:53 The Role of Our Nervous System 28:20 Reevaluating Spiritual Performance 30:28 Discovering a New Way 35:43 The Holiness Heresy 39:49 Final Thoughts and Reflections

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