Toward Wholeness Podcast

Movement as Spiritual Formation: Interview with Dr. Kevin Rindal

What comes to mind when you hear the word "exercise"? For some, it conjures up feelings of shame or guilt; for others, it has become a form of idolatry. Today, our host Richard Dahlstrom and his special guest, Dr. Kevin Rindal, talk about the beautiful gift physical activity can be and how to see movement as an act of spiritual formation.

Dr. Kevin Rindal, DC is the CEO and Co-Founder of Vimocity, a workforce safety platform that focuses on the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Prior to founding Vimocity, Dr. Rindal spent 15 years working with professional athletes in his clinic and also served as a member of the Sports Medicine Staff for the US Olympic Swim Team for ten years (2009-2019). 

The Heart Knows and Tells All: Interview with Dr. Bob Swenson

How is the health of your cardiovascular system directly related to spiritual and physical practices? Join host Richard Dahlstrom as he dives into the world of heart-health with cardiologist Dr. Bob Swenson.

Dr. Swenson is a recently retired cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. He did his cardiovascular and EP training at the University of Washington and was in clinical practice at the Vancouver Clinic in Vancouver, Wa for 32 years. Bob and his wife Peggy have been married 48 years and have 3 sons, Jacob, Nick, and Luke.  Bob is an avid hiker and outdoors person.  

During his undergraduate education Bob met two cardiologists and began working in the cardiac catheterization lab and doing clinical research in cardiovascular disease. The heart’s identification as a person’s life force and the home of one’s spirit drew Bob into the practice of cardiology.

Eating Your Way to Wholeness: Interview with Lisa Fligor

Many people struggle in their relationship with what they eat—leading to heightened levels of anxiety, depression, obesity, and eating disorders. As we seek wholeness, what part does food play in our pursuit? Join host Richard Dahlstrom as he discusses this critical subject with nutritionist and wellness expert, Lisa Fligor. 

Lisa is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee, CA. She holds a Master’s Degree in Nutrition from Bastyr University in Washington State. She also completed the Chef’s Training Program at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts in New York City. She is a faculty member at University of Nevada, Reno, working at the Wellness and Weight Management Clinic.

Lisa is passionate about real food and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. For over 20 years, Lisa has been providing nutritional counseling to groups and individuals using a comprehensive approach to healthy living that incorporates nutritional science.  Her areas of expertise include sustainable weight loss, health supportive cooking, mindful eating, diabetes management, heart health, sports nutrition, and digestive health.

She lives in Truckee with her husband, and three children. She loves to hike, run, bike and ski. Lisa takes full advantage of the Tahoe lifestyle, getting outside whenever possible.

Designing Your Life: Interview with Megan Dobrasz & Kendy Easley

All of us want lives full of purpose, value, and joy, but we often don't know how to uncover those pieces of our story to find the life for which we were created. Join host Richard Dahlstrom as he speaks with Megan Dobrasz and Kendy Easley discussing how "design thinking" can help us create a life that is both meaningful and fulfilling—regardless of who or where we are, what we do or have done for a living, or how young or old we are.

Megan Dobrasz and Kendy Easley are certified facilitator coaches for Designing Your Life. Designing Your Life (DYL) is a New York Times best-selling book that utilizes exercises to give others a sense of structure in their lives. These creative and thought-provoking exercises allow the participant to reflect on their life and determine what they should do with their future so they can then generate a road map and plan how to accomplish their goals. 

Megan and Kendy lead DYL classes at Bethany Community Church in Seattle, WA, throughout the year. If you're interested in DYL, email Megan or find out more online. 

Calling, Meaning, & the Mundane: Interview with harpist John Carrington

All of us are made with unique gifts—ultimately so we can bless the world. But how can we discover our gifts and lean into our calling? Join host Richard Dahlstrom as he talks with John Carrington, the Principal Harpist with the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, the Bellevue Philharmonic and the Auburn Symphony. 

Seattle native John Carrington appears regularly with the Seattle Symphony and Seattle Opera where he was Guest Principal Harpist for several seasons. He performs with the Fifth Avenue Theatre Orchestra and has worked as solo harpist on Cunard Line's "Queen Elizabeth 2" performing for its World Cruise on six continents

John’s classical background includes performances with such conductors as Seiji Ozawa, Charles Dutoit, Leonard Slatkin, Gerard Schwarz, Asher Fisch and John Rutter. His popular music experience is equally notable, as he has shared the stage with Tony Bennett, José Carreras, Josh Groban, Olivia Newton-John, Rita Moreno, Doc Severinsen, and James Taylor, to name a few.

In addition, John is a sought-after recording artist, participating in over 200 motion picture soundtracks and including “Mr. Holland’s Opus”, “The Wedding Planner,” and several Disney and Hallmark Hall of Fame productions. He's also performed on video game soundtracks including "Halo" and "World of Warcraft."

He received his Master of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music after earning his Bachelor of Music from the University of Washington.

Report from Ukraine: Wholeness in Wartime with Nick Sweeney

Join Richard Dahlstrom for a special interview with Nick Sweeney, Director at Kyiv Christian Academy in Ukraine. Nick gives offers insight into what it means to seek wholeness amidst wartime as the world directs their attention and prayers toward Ukraine and Russia.

Mr. Sweeney is an experienced educator and school leader who has worked as a teacher and at all levels of school administration and leadership. Before Nick’s recent service as a consultant for Providence Global Academy, he served as Superintendent of Gateway Christian Schools (Washington). Prior to GCS, he was the Superintendent of Arrowhead Christian Academy and Redlands Christian School (California). Nick has been connected with and ministered in Ukraine for many years, coordinating a missionary endeavor from 1993 through 2017. 

Making a Difference Amidst Detours: Interview with Kevin East

Kevin East is the President & CEO of Mentoring Alliance, a Christ-centered, intentionally multiethnic ministry that mobilizes Godly people into the lives of kids and families, to provide tangible help and eternal hope. Kevin and his wife, Stephanie, are the proud parents of five children—two of them began as foster children, but God allowed them the great opportunity to adopt them in the fall of 2012. He and his wife share a strong passion for families living out the mission of God. Kevin is a graduate of Louisiana State University and completed his Master of Arts in Global Leadership through Fuller Seminary. 

For articles, podcast, and other resources, visit Kevin's website Follow to Lead.

Finding Hope in a World on Fire: Interview with Kim Hurst & Nathan Nelson

Amidst all of the pain each of us suffers in various seasons, plus the onslaught of "bad news" we see in our world each day—it can be extremely challenging to find any glimmer of hope. Join host Richard Dahlstrom and guests Kim Hurst and Nathan Nelson as they discuss practical ways we can take steps toward hope and wholeness.

Kim Hurst is the Northwest Director of Strategic Partnerships at World Relief. World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems by partnering with local churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing, and transformation to the most vulnerable. In her role, Kim has the opportunity to discover and strengthen connections in which partners encourage, equip, and empower one another through God’s love. She holds a B.A. from the University of Washington in Society and Justice, and an M.A. from Fuller Theological Seminary in Cross-Cultural Studies.

Nathan Nelson is the Pastor of Mission & Outreach at Bethany Community Church in Seattle, WA. He has years of experience working in local and global church-based community development and is passionate about unifying local churches to be agents of holistic transformation in their communities. Previously, he worked in refugee resettlement with World Relief and provided support for reuniting families from Central America. He holds a Master of Divinity with an emphasis in International Development & Urban Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary and Bachelor of Arts in Global Development and Sociology from Seattle Pacific University. He calls the Pacific Northwest home and lives every day in gratitude and admiration for his beloved wife Maci.

Freedom from Addiction: Interview with Steven Ginsburg

Alcohol, overeating, pornography, drug abuse—how can one break free from the strongholds of addiction? Join host Richard Dahlstrom and his guest, Steven Ginsburg, as they discuss Steven's incredible road to recovery from alcoholism, to now dedicating his life to helping others break free from addiction.

Steven has been in and around recovery and sobriety since 1988. He coaches business leaders, educators, and families to healthier habits and rewarding results. He is currently the founding principal owner and C.E.O. at Restore Detox Center, a 24-hour treatment facility in southern California, that provides detoxification services and residential treatment for people seeking to restore their lives.

Since his recovery, he also founded CurePro and serves as a personal coach and aftercare specialist helping addicts turn their lives around. Additionally, you purchase Steven's new book Filling the Void on his website.

Finding & Sustaining Your Calling: Interview with Scott Nolte

With so much pressure to find work you're "passionate about" these days—what does the process of discernment actually look like? Join host Richard Dahlstrom and the co-founder of the Taproot Theatre Company, Scott Nolte, as they discuss how Scott found his calling and sustained it for over 40 years.

Scott is the co-founder and former Producing Artistic Director Taproot Theatre Company until retiring after 44 years at the end of 2020. Over the course of 40 years he directed over 200 main stage and touring productions and oversaw the artistic development of Taproot’s programs and mission. Scott has also served on the board or as an advisor to many arts and nonprofit organizations. As a teacher, he was an adjunct professor at the Eduardo Turral Cultural Association (Leon, Spain) and Seattle Pacific University’s School of Fine and Performing Arts.  Scott and his wife (and fellow TTC founder) Pamela Nolte were named Alumni of the Year by Seattle Pacific University in 2011. The Noltes are both second-generation Seattleites, and have two adult children.  In 2018 Scott hiked 800 kms on the Santiago de Compostela in Spain—which you can read about online.

And if you're in the Greater Puget Sound Region, you can join Richard and Bethany Community Church on an Ancient Paths trip in the Summer of 2021. These trips provide opportunities to help discern your calling and next steps in life. Find out more online.