Being Known Podcast

It’s one thing to consider that beauty is what we might discover, or something we long to create. But what happens when we clue in to the fact that there’s even more? What happens when we are made aware that beauty isn’t just something we want to create—it’s something we were destined from the beginning to become? For as it turns out, to bear and restore God’s image necessarily includes bearing God’s beauty. Who knew that when God looks upon us, beauty is what he sees? Join Curt and Pepper they explore how our imaginations are reborn and our minds are renewed when we consider the destiny for which we were truly made. This episode is further discussion on chapter 3 of The Soul of Desire by Curt Thompson, MD.

If desire is the fuel in the tank, then where is it taking us? Yes, our longing is to be deeply, fully known. But our desire is only just beginning to get our attention. For before you know it, from watching children to watching sunsets we soon discover that our ultimate longings are directed to find their home in nothing short of beauty. We begin by making things, and the number of things we want to make is endless. But we aren’t satisfied to make mediocrity. No, we want to create beauty in all of its possible dimensions and in all dimensions of life. Moreover, we will discover in this episode that beauty isn’t a luxury, something we might get to have once we take care of all the other important work of life. No—beauty is something we were—and from God’s point of view, literally—made for. In this episode, Pepper and Curt will explore how our desire to create beauty is not just an add-on, it’s necessary if the life we want is to be realized. This episode is further discussion on chapter 2 of The Soul of Desire by Curt Thompson, MD.

We are people of desire. And it doesn’t take much or long to know that that’s true. Our relationships and, as it turns out, our brains tell us so. But desire is a tricky thing, because as much as we know that it lies at the core of our being, it’s also something that has created no shortage of trouble for us—for as long as we have walked the planet. Just ask Adam and Eve. What does it mean for us to long for all we long for, and how do we reconcile that the very thing that fuels the deepest longings we have is also the source of so much pain and brokenness? Join Pepper and Curt as we kick off Season 3 of the Being Known Podcast, and as we begin the journey into The Soul of Desire, discovering just how much life is waiting for us—right in the center of what we may be more afraid of than anything. And just so you know—we’re longing for you to meet us there. This episode is further discussion on chapter 1 of The Soul of Desire by Curt Thompson, MD.

Join Pepper and Curt as we recapitulate Season 2 of the Being Known Podcast. And, no, “recapitulate” isn’t one of the domains of integration. But if we come up with another one, that’s what we’ll name it. The domain of recapitulation.

Like all spiritual disciplines, when we attune to the eight domains of integration we introduced, transformation ensues. Not by might. Not by power. But by the Spirit of God. You might think we’re kidding. Listen in as we explore the transpirational domain of the mind, and you’ll see that, even though the word—transpiration—is one that is made up, what it points to is far from make believe.

We humans, as far as we can tell, are the only creatures to occupy a temporal domain of mental activity — the perceived awareness of our past and our future, and most importantly, that we will die. How does our awareness of time shape our mind, for good or for ill, and how does that awareness potentially prime us to be agents of beauty and goodness on the earth? Join Pepper Sweeney and Curt Thompson, MD as we explore the notion of time — and we try not to lose track of it in the process.

Life would be so much easier if... …if it weren’t for… people. Or would it? As it turns out, our minds depend far more on the minds of others than we may know. But once we do know, we’ll see why it’s not good for any of us to be alone, and why loving our enemies as much as our friends isn’t just a noble idea pulled off the pages of an ancient religious text. In this episode, come explore with us the interpersonal domain of integration, and see why we so desperately need each other if flourishing is what we seek.

Who knew that what state of mind you’re in really does, scientifically, refer to more than New York. Join us as we discover the state domain of integration, and learn that it’s not only important to be aware of which state we’re in, but why so much of our troubles — and the potential for beauty and goodness — is to be found in moving from one state to another. And we don’t mean moving to Pennsylvania.

Storytellers. That’s what we are, and we can’t get away from it. But just how truly do we tell them? It turns out that, just as important as the story you tell, is how you tell it. And that makes all the difference. Join us as we explore the narrative domain of integration, and discover the interpersonal neurobiology of attachment. We can assure you: After you’ve listened in, you’ll have quite a story to tell.

What is memory when it comes to the brain? When it comes to time? When it comes to relationships? And how is it that our memory has as much to do with the future as it has to do with the past? Moreover, what does it have to do with changing our past and our future? These are all important questions, so…don’t forget to tune in as Pepper and Curt try to recall the domain of memory. (Did you see what we did there?)

Who’s in charge here? As it turns out, the way the right and left hemispheres of the brain work says a lot about how we answer that question. Be assured, that’ a question we need to answer — whether we know it or not. Listen in as Pepper and Curt introduce the horizontal domain of the mind, and why, as it turns out, it really is important for the right hand to know what the left hand is doing.

Dirt. Mud. Bodies. God began with bodies, and the vertical domain of the mind reminds us that if we aren’t paying attention to our body (that’s right, our body) there will be a great deal of life — not least our relationship with God and others — that we’ll miss. Join our conversation as we awaken to why the triune brain is so much more than just three-part harmony.

Awake. Alert. Attuned. Join Pepper Sweeney and Curt Thompson, MD as they start at the beginning, exploring the domain of consciousness, and discovering why paying attention to what you’re paying attention to matters so much. Because if you don’t begin with consciousness, there won’t be as much to your ending as you would like.

What does it mean to flourish — to be whole even as our Father in heaven is whole? How does becoming acquainted with the mind’s domains of integration help us get there? Join Pepper Sweeney and Curt Thompson, MD as they explore the notion of integration and why it matters so much — to everything.

Join us as we recap this first season of Being Known Podcast — and all the new words Pepper has learned.

Learn what it means for our minds to be renewed. Literally. And how our brains can change along the way. Best of all, discover that we don’t have to be left with the stories we have told ourselves.

What are you feeling, and where do you feel it? Join us as we discover why emotion is so critical to life — and regulating it is even more so. While we’re at it, we’ll also see why it’s so important to God.

What is the mind? And if we answer that, what does a flourishing mind look like? And if we answer that, what does it mean to love God with all of it?

What does it mean to be human, and who decides the answer to that question? Listen to find out why those questions are so important, and how “…standing at the crossroads and asking for the ancient paths — where the good way lies…” can help us answer them — even if there are a lot of syllables in this episode’s title.

One thing that makes us uniquely human is that we are storytellers. But in what story do you believe you are living? Believe us, how you answer that question changes everything.

To be vulnerable is not first something we choose. It is something we are. In this episode, we explore how our vulnerability opens the door for hope, healing and creativity.

We are people who long to be known — that, together, we may create beauty in the world. But, could it be that beauty is not only what we long to create, but also what we are destined to become?

Join host, Pepper Sweeney, and psychiatrist, Curt Thompson, MD, as we together awaken to the journey of being fully known.