Toward Wholeness Podcast

Pursuing Wholeness in the Midst of Cancer

How does one pursue wholeness after receiving life-altering news? Host Richard Dahlstrom speaks with longtime friends Tim & Alicia Nygard as they discuss what they've learned since Tim's stage 4 cancer diagnosis. 

 

Fasting, Meditation, & Sleeping Outside • Ancient Paths Testimonial • Interview with Thane Erickson

In a world full of busy schedules, distractions, and endless entertainment options—how can we break away to connect with God in deeper ways? In this episode, host Richard Dahlstrom is joined by Professor of Clinical Psychology Dr. Thane Erickson as they discuss Thane's personal experience on a life-changing Ancient Paths trip.

Find out more about the Ancient Paths wilderness experience and how you can join an upcoming trip: SpiritSoulBody.org

A Way Forward in a Polarized World: Interview with Mark Labberton

How we can find a path forward in such a time of polarization? Join hosts Richard Dahlstrom and Abby Odio as they interview Pastor, author, and president of Fuller Theological Seminary, Mark Labberton.

Mark Labberton was named the fifth president of Fuller Seminary in 2013, after four years as Fuller’s Lloyd John Ogilvie Associate Professor of Preaching and director of the Ogilvie Institute of Preaching. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA), he served in pastoral roles for 30 years prior to coming to Fuller, most recently as senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, California, for 16 years. He also has served as cofounder of the Christian International Scholarship Foundation (now ScholarLeaders International), chair of John Stott Ministries, senior fellow of International Justice Mission, and in a number of other roles of service. He holds an MDiv from Fuller and a PhD in Theology from Cambridge University.

Labberton is committed to strengthening the intersection of the academy, church, and culture, and brings to his presidency a deep desire to enact justice, love, and grace on both a global and local level. A popular speaker at churches, conferences, educational institutions, and other contexts, he often uses these talks to reflect on what it means to act biblically in challenging, often divisive cultural times. On his podcast Conversing, he further explores a broad range of topics—civility, race, suffering, gender equality, storytelling, and many others—with a diversity of guests.

Books Labberton has written include Called: The Crisis and Promise of Following Jesus Today, The Dangerous Act of Loving Your Neighbor: Seeing Others Through the Eyes of Jesus, and The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God’s Call to Justice. Most recently he served as editor for the book Still Evangelical? Insiders Reconsider Political, Social, and Theological Meaning, a collection of essays on the meaning of evangelicalism in a contentious era.

Serving as president during a time of significant upheaval in theological education, Labberton has worked to help Fuller shape new, fruitful ways of carrying out its mission of “forming global leaders for kingdom vocations.” Through such endeavors as the Fuller Leadership Platform, FULLER studio, innovative forms of online instruction, strengthening traditional degree programs, and a campus move, he is leading Fuller in a process that will design the path ahead for seminary education.

Commitment: Interview with Richard & Donna Dahlstrom

In an overwhelmingly transient society, being committed to meaningful relationships and endeavors is perhaps more significant now than ever. But how can we remain committed in healthy and transformative ways? Join host Abby Odio for a special interview with Spirit, Soul, Body co-founders Richard and Donna Dahlstrom—as they discuss their 41 years of marriage and 25 years pastoring at Bethany Community Church. 

Learn more about Richard and Donna's life, work, and ministry at spiritsoulbody.org.

Lent, Animals, & Wild Hope: Interview with Gayle Boss

The season of Lent helps us slow down, soften, and grow as we turn toward Christ—but what role does God's creation play in the process? Join host Abby Odio as she interviews author Gayle Boss discussing her beautiful book about Lent titled "Wild Hope."

Learn more about Gayle and her work at her website.

The Gospel & World Religions: Interview with Diana Keuss

How can a follower of Christ see other religions through a Biblical lens? Join host Abby Odio as she interviews Dr. Diana Keuss and dig deeper into her extensive experience, study, and teaching on World Religions. Dr. Keuss is an adjunct professor at Seattle Pacific University where she teaches courses in World Religions and the History of Asian Religious Tradition. After earning her Bachelor's degree in English and Masters in Education, she went on to receive a PhD, with a dissertation focused on the way of 'thinking-doing' in the Buddhist religious tradition in Japan and India. Dr. Keuss volunteers with World Relief, an organization that helps to resettle refugees in the greater Seattle area.

Having Hard Conversations: Interview with Shelton Oakley Hersey & Bev Emerson

In a time when outrage seems to permeate every corner of our society, how can we have Kingdom-minded conversations that lead to wholeness? Join host Richard Dahlstrom as he interviews Shelton Oakley Hersey and Bev Emerson, both serving as Spiritual Directors at the Nuos Formation.

Shelton Oakley Hersey has sought out, participated, and facilitated spaces working toward holistic development of people and systems over the past decade. She has experience in diverse contexts, from low income neighborhoods of Los Angeles and Fuller Theological Seminary, where Shelton obtained a Masters in Intercultural Studies, to South Africa townships, and the multi-ethnic church of America. In Boston, Shelton serves as the Program Director for the Dignity Project and a consultant with the Race and Christian Community Initiative, both of which are about creating thoughtful spaces of personal identity development designed to build bridges individually and systemically between those who are divided across differences of race, religion, economics, social ideologies, and geography. 

Bev Emerson works with individuals, helping them to develop a deeper relationship with God and also with nonprofits and corporations, assisting them in creating healthy, sustainable cultures by providing management coaching and corporate chaplaincy. She regularly leads workshops and retreats, facilitating space for individuals to encounter their deepest longings and gain clarity around the invitation that God has for them in their current journey. Having spent most of her life living with loved ones who hold different political and religious perspectives, she has a special passion around facilitating difficult conversations that result in deeper intimacy. For 30 years she has used these relational skills along with her BS in Food Science, and MBA to help brands bring healthy, innovative food products to retail. As founder of Olive Tree Product Development, she continues this work, as well as offering leadership formation services.

 

Generosity as a Foundation: Interview with John Rinehart

Is "the love of money" truly the greatest barrier in our path toward wholeness? Join host Richard Dahlstrom as he interviews author, speaker, and founder of Gospel Patrons John Rinehart. John is the author of two books, Gospel Patrons and Giving Together, he speaks at conferences and events around the world, and is passionate about helping people develop a robust faith in Jesus and a clear vision of their purpose and calling in God's Kingdom. He and his wife Renée have two children and live in Orange County, California.

Advent & The Power of Waiting: Interview with Gayle Boss

How can we face the darkest seasons of our lives in ways that honor God and His creation? Join hosts Richard Dahlstrom and Abby Odio as they interview author Gayle Boss discussing her fascinating book about Advent titled "All Creation Waits."

Learn more about Gayle and her work at her website.

Living in Community: Interview with Charles Moore Pt. 2

What does it look like to live communally and why is it relevant today? Join host Richard Dahlstrom as he interviews teacher, pastor, and author Charles Moore discussing his experiences living in a Bruderhof Community.  

Charles, with his wife, lives in a Bruderhof Hous Community in Denver, Colorado. A former professor of philosophy, Charles is a teacher, pastor, and a contributing editor and author for Plough Publishing. He is co-editor of the Blumhardt Source Series, and his published works include Called to Community: The Life Jesus Wants for His People, Provocations: Spiritual Writings of Kierkegaard, and Everyone Belongs to God, a collection of writings by Christoph Blumhardt on gospel witness. Charles regularly blogs, and his book on the Sermon on the Mount will be coming out in Fall, 2021. Charles is actively involved  with the Nurturing Communities Network, and he enjoys playing with children, hiking in the mountains, and making friends with those on the margins of society.