In this episode, Richard Foster and Brenda Quinn join the podcast to discuss Richard’s new book Learning Humility. Richard Foster is an author of many books on Christian spiritual formation, including Celebration of Discipline, the book that helped launch the entire Ruah Space journey. Richard takes us into the book and the journey of growing in […]

In this episode, Fr. Albert Haase returns to the podcast to discuss his book Soul Training with the Peace Prayer of St. Francis. We discuss this famous prayer of St. Francis, the role of detachment in spiritual formation, and more! A friend of Ruah Space and a listener favorite, Fr. Albert challenges and encourages us […]

Luke Wilson, author of the book 40 Days with the Fathers: A Journey Through Church History, joins the podcast today to discuss the lives and practices of some of the most formational people in the history of the Church. We talk about some of their lives, including what we know from The Life of Anthony, […]

Dr. Tremper Longman returns to the podcast to discuss his new book Revelation Through Old Testament Eyes. Scholar, author, and Professor, Tremper takes us into one of my favorite books of the Bible to discuss how we can best understand it when we see it in light of the Old Testament. Tremper shares how he […]

James Bryan Smith returns to the podcast to discuss his great new book The Good and Beautiful You. The fourth book in the Good and Beautiful series, Jim helps us understand one of the most important aspects of our life and faith: that we are loved, good and beautiful. We discuss the purpose of spiritual […]

Dr. Caryn Reeder, professor and author, joins Phil to discuss her new book The Samaritan Woman’s Story. This much understood story in John 4 has had a massive impact on the Church and the formation of men and women in the Body of Christ, but not always in helpful ways.Caryn digs into the historical and […]

Arthur Aghajanian, contemplative, essayist, and educator joins the podcast today to discuss Christian contemplation and art! Visual mediums are a beautiful way to explore our relationship with God, to enter into times of prayer and meditation, explore our own story and faith, and feel. Arthur talks art, the place of art in the Church, his […]

Author and philosopher Os Guinness joins the podcast to discuss the journey of coming to faith and his new book The Great Quest: Invitation to an Examined Life and a Sure Path to Meaning. We explore the importance of living an examined life, how the questions we ask shape the journey, seeking truth ,and what […]

Susan Maros joins Ruah Space to discuss calling and her new book Calling in Context. Susan shares stories from her own life and those she has worked with to reveal what she has learned about our calling as people following the way of Jesus. Susan helps dispel some thoughts around calling that aren’t always helpful, […]

Messiah College professor and author Dr. Eric Seibert joins the podcast to share practical ways we can engage the Old Testament and actually enjoy it! His new book “Enjoying the Old Testament: A Creative Guide to Encountering Scripture” is phenomenal, offering tangible and creative ways for anyone to read and understand what the Old Testament […]

David Cole (Brother Cassian) returns to the podcast to talk Celtic Christianity, Lent, and practices from the Celtic tradition that can guide us through Lent. We explore his book Celtic Lent: 40 Days of Devotions to Easter, prayer rhythms, the desert tradition, the importance of practices, and more. You can find out more about David […]

Today I am joined by pastor and author Kelly Vander Woude to discuss Lamentations and Kelly’s book The Honesty of Lamentations. Lament is not something we are usually taught to do well, especially as Christians. The Bible, however, has no problem offering lament to God. There’s a whole book about it! In our conversation and […]

Pastor Oscar Banks, senior pastor at Palm Lake Christian Church, joins the podcast to discuss reconciliation in the Church. The Body of Christ is intentionally diverse, but we have not always done very well at loving each other or living in a way that invites everyone to the table. From race and sex to theology […]

Author Amanda Flinn joins the podcast today to discuss her new book “God Made All Your Feelings.” This is a book I wish I had when I was younger and didn’t know how to listen to or trust my feelings. It taps into something that I have discovered to be absolutely true the past few […]

In today’s episode, we are joined by author and professor Dr. Joshua Knabb to discuss his new book Christian Meditation in Clinical Practice. Josh takes us into the amazing connections between our stories, minds, struggles, and Christian spiritual practices. Written for therapists and the rest of us simply trying to work through all of our […]

In today’s episode, I am joined by master yoga instructor Sally McAteer! Also known by here social media username Sally’s Mat, Sally was one of my trainers in YogaFaith and joins the podcast to discuss calling, Christian yoga, yin, and the importance of great story in Scripture where Jesus invites someone he has healed to […]

Today we are joined by author, worship leader, and YogaFaith Director Jody Thomae to discuss her new book Jesus in My Practice: Bringing the Questions of Jesus to My Movement, My Meditation & My Mat. Approaching Jesus as our master teacher, Jody explores the questions Jesus asks in the Gospels and invites us to creatively […]

Sometimes everything can feel like it’s on fire. Like it’s falling apart. When this happens to our faith, it can be alarming. Questions. Doubts. Issues. Sometimes this fire can be destructive and unhelpful. Simply destroying everything in its path. Sometimes fire can be helpful, however. Fire can refine. Reveal. Clarify. Brian Zahnd, pastor and author, joins the podcast to […]

Jeff Campbell, author of the new book Examining the Examen, joins the podcast to take us into the well-known Christian practice known as the Ignatian Examen. A contemplative practice based on the ministry of Ignatius of Loyola, this creative practice helps us reflect on our lives in order to better see the movement of God. […]

Randy Woodley, activist, scholar, author, teacher, wisdom-keeper, and Cherokee descendant, joins Ruah Space to discuss his new book Becoming Rooted: One Hundred Days of Reconnecting with Sacred Earth. Randy takes us into a better understanding of our interconnectedness with all things, especially the creation, and what this means for our lives and relationships, including our relationship […]