The Allender Center Podcast

Dan Allender, Rachael Clinton, and Beau Denton celebrate more than four years and 200 episodes of The Allender Center podcast. As they reflect on their favorite moments so far, they dream together about how the conversation might continue in the future.

Dan Allender and Jay Stringer conclude their conversation about sexual brokenness, the need for integrity and community in healing, and Jay's new book Unwanted.

Dan continues his conversation with Jay Stringer about sexual brokenness and the need to engage the particular stories that inform how we view ourselves and how we relate to others.

Dan kicks off a three-part conversation with minister and therapist Jay Stringer, whose book, Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing, was released earlier this month.

This week, Wendell Moss continues his conversation with Sam Eldredge, originally recorded for the podcast from And Sons Magazine in Colorado.

This week, we're sharing a conversation from the folks at And Sons Magazine in Colorado. Teaching Staff member Wendell Moss talks with Sam Eldredge about the intersections of race, masculinity, and trauma.

This week, Dan talks with Dr. Craig Detweiler, President of The Seattle School, about the transfiguration narrative in Luke 9, and about how we respond to moments of divine beauty.

This week, Dan talks with Dr. Derek McNeil, Senior Vice President of Academics at The Seattle School, about Luke 22:24-34 and how our ongoing growth requires that we face both our capacity for betrayal and the ways we have been betrayed.

This week, Dan talks with Dr. Angela Parker, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at The Seattle School, about 1 Corinthians 4:8-13 and what it means to foster meaningful, nuanced conversations in the midst of difference.

This week, Dan talks with Dr. Chelle Stearns, Associate Professor of Theology at The Seattle School, about Philippians 2 and the idea that following the example of Christ means becoming more fully ourselves.

This week, Dan and Becky Allender continue their conversation about parenting adult children, particularly when the relationship is so broken that it seems beyond repair.

This week, Dan and Becky Allender start a two-part conversation about parenting adult children. How can we engage complex dynamics with curiosity and a hope of change, rather than maintaining the status quo or reenacting past harm?

This week, Dan and Becky Allender conclude our series on loneliness by discussing how the journey away from the shame of disconnection begins with an act of confession.

This week, Dan and Becky Allender continue their conversation about loneliness by looking at the particular ways it shows up in marriage and other intimate relationships.

This week, Dan and Becky Allender kick off a three-part series on loneliness. They begin by wrestling with some of the differences between sporadic, situational loneliness and chronic, existential loneliness.

This week, Dan continues his conversation with professor Nancy Kane about the work of spiritual formation. Nancy shares about the deep change she has seen in those who dare go beyond a Sunday morning faith.

This week, Dan talks with professor Nancy Kane about the work of spiritual formation. Nancy reminds us that following Christ is not just a matter of reading our Bible and going to church. It is a whole-bodied journey into the deepest needs and desires of the human heart.

This week, Dan and Becky Allender continue discussing the dynamics of hospitality by exploring what it means to be a good host as we welcome friends and relatives into our homes this summer.

This week, Dan and Becky Allender dive into the dynamics of hospitality and what it means to be a good guest or host. As we visit the homes of others, how can we enter their world with gratitude, humility, and delight?

This week, Dan shares his second recommendation for essential summer reading: Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, a book that shines light into some of the darkest realities of our nation's systems of racism and injustice.

This week, Dan kicks off our Summer Reading series with a recommendation for Survivor Cafe by Elizabeth Rosner, a vivid look at the impact of generational trauma and the ways we tell the stories we have no language for.

This week, Dr. Chelle Stearns, Associate Professor of Theology at The Seattle School, continues talking with Dan about her work toward developing a theology of trauma and abuse. Chelle shares how learning from artists can help us enter those realms marked by an absence of language and meaning.

This week, Dr. Dan Allender is joined by Dr. Chelle Stearns, a violinist, theologian, and Associate Professor of Theology at The Seattle School. Chelle shares about her work in developing a theology of abuse, and about her deep conviction that we find God most often in places of immense sorrow and stunning beauty.

This week, Dr. Dan Allender continues his conversation with Dr. Craig Detweiler, President of The Seattle School. Craig, a writer and filmmaker, engages Dan's questions about a few favorite directors, and together they wonder about how stories of tragedy, comedy, and fantasy might all reflect something of the heart of the Gospel.

This week, Dr. Dan Allender talks with Dr. Craig Detweiler, President of The Seattle School, about how filmmaking and storytelling can help deepen our imagination for new ways of being in the world.

This week, Dr. Dan Allender and his long-time friend, Biblical scholar Dr. Tremper Longman III, conclude our series about the mystery of living with adaptive, creative wisdom in a fallen world—something far more complex than rote knowledge or easy answers.

This week, Dr. Dan Allender and his best friend, Biblical scholar Dr. Tremper Longman III, continue our series about the complex category of wisdom by discussing the need to remain open to change and to never stop learning. What does it mean to have both the integrity of deep convictions and the willingness to be proven wrong? As we'll hear today, that's one of the many conundrums of wisdom.

This week, Dr. Dan Allender and his long-time best friend, Biblical scholar Dr. Tremper Longman III, kick off a three-part series about the complex category of wisdom, starting with a loaded and crucial concept: the fear of the Lord.

This week, Rachael Clinton continues her conversation about Black Panther with Teaching Staff member Wendell Moss and Michael Thornhill of the Coalition for Christian Outreach. Rachael, Wendell, and Michael talk about Erik Killmonger, a complex and compelling character who has much to teach us about collective trauma and systemic harm.

This week, Rachael Clinton sits down with Teaching Staff member Wendell Moss and Michael Thornhill of the Coalition for Christian Outreach to launch a two-part conversation about the hit film Black Panther. Rachael, Wendell, and Michael discuss a few of the movie's memorable characters and begin unpacking how the narrative reflects the complexity and humanity of trauma and healing.

This week, Dan Allender and Rachael Clinton, Assistant Director of Program Development and Admissions, respond to feedback about our recent series on spiritual abuse. From the volume of responses, it is clear that this category strikes a deep and personal chord for many listeners, and we did not want to let this moment pass without acknowledging the complexity of this crucial conversation.

This week, Dan Allender and Rachael Clinton, Assistant Director of Program Development and Admissions, conclude their conversation on spiritual abuse by talking about the long, painful journey toward healing. After being controlled and harmed by others in such profound ways, what does it look like to name our experience, allow ourselves to be cared for, and rediscover the goodness of God in our relationships?

This week, Dan Allender and Rachael Clinton, Assistant Director of Program Development and Admissions, continue their conversation on the dynamics and fallout of spiritual abuse. Rachael vulnerably shares more of her own story to help unpack the betrayal, loss of trust, and deep shame that come when corrupt leadership is seen as the voice of God in a community.

This week, Dan Allender is joined by Rachael Clinton, Assistant Director of Program Development and Admissions, to begin a three-part conversation on the dynamics and fallout of spiritual abuse. Dan and Rachael discuss the pervasive and insidious realities of systems that use power to control and divide, fragmenting the beauty of a community that bears God's name.

This week, Dan Allender, Cathy Loerzel, and Rachael Clinton conclude their conversation about our upcoming online course, Story Sage. As they continue wrestling with what it means to engage stories with boldness and care, they begin to explore what might be the most volatile and dangerous terrain in this work: family of origin.

This week, Dan Allender, Cathy Loerzel, and Rachael Clinton continue their conversation about what it means to enter the stories of others with curiosity, attunement, and care. As we gear up for our new Story Sage online course, we're inviting you to consider how you might develop the capacity to enter stories of harm and heartache for the sake of healing.

This week, Dan talks with Cathy Loerzel and Rachael Clinton about the art of facilitating deep, meaningful conversations that enter into stories of harm and heartache. In an age of disconnection and isolation, how can we enter the stories of others with courage, artistry, and care?

This week, Dan and Becky Allender continue their conversation about Becky's new book, Hidden in Plain Sight. They reflect on the nature of calling and on the beautiful, wild invitation to step into new terrain while many others choose to coast through life.

This week, Dan and Becky Allender talk about Becky's new book, Hidden in Plain Sight. Becky shares about her writing process and about finding the courage to step from a lifetime of hiding into a beautiful and compelling new story.

This week, Dan continues his conversation with the band Lowland Hum. Lauren and Daniel Goans share about their songwriting process, and they talk with Dan about the haunting and holy privilege of creating music that reflects something of the nature of God.

This week, Dan is joined by Lauren and Daniel Goans of the band Lowland Hum, whose music we're pleased to feature as our new intro. Dan asks the duo about their journey as songwriters, and about creating art that invites people into a larger, more hospitable experience of the Gospel.

This week, Dan and Becky Allender look ahead and wonder about the desire, hope, and fear that comes with moving into a new year. Dan and Becky reflect on the themes and trajectories that will shape their year ahead, inviting you to join them in pondering the story your life will tell in 2018.

This week, Dan is joined by his wife, Becky as they reflect back on the significant events of their year. Dan and Becky discuss how to move from the end of the year to anticipate the year ahead. They invite us to adopt the simple, intentional practice of taking time to look back on the year and taking note of events and themes. This sets us up to to live into what and where we are called in the next season.

This week, Dan continues with the third part of our Advent series as he explores the ways in which the Christmas story unfolds in the midst of shame and disruption. He explores passages about the Holy Family, the Shepherds, and King Herod, and discusses the interplay between God's sovereignty and the schemes of evil. What parts of our heart need to be captured and disrupted by honor of the coming of God on earth?

This week, Dan continues the Advent series. He asks listeners to consider how or when this holiday season has made them dazed or confused. He explores the ways in which Mary, Zechariah, and Joseph were each dazed and confused, and how each responded differently. The question we are left with is this: How we are allowing our own lives to be impacted by the invasion of Christ coming to earth. Have we been brought to the point of needing to wrestle with the presence of God in our lives?

This week, Dan begins an Advent series. He outlines the many facets of the Christmas season, reviewing a study by the American Psychological Association about the conflict the season brings. He then discusses the places where we get held up by many distractions, believing our war is against culture and the way Christmas is celebrated. He invites us to instead recognize that Christ's coming to earth was an invasion — the signaling of a war against darkness, in which we are invited to participate.

This week, Dan is joined by a longtime friend, Cary Umhau. Cary is the author of Burning Down the Fireproof Hotel, and her work has focused around connecting communities. In sharing her own story, she encourages listeners to remember the importance of seeing another and being seen by another. In this season of thanksgiving, Cary and Dan also discuss practical ways we can all give to those around us. They invite listeners to learn more about an initiative called Breadcoin. Happy Thanksgiving from The Allender Center. We are privileged to be a part of this work and are so grateful for our listeners, each and every one of you!

This week, Dan, along with friends and colleagues — Susan Kim, Abby Wong-Heffter, and Wendell Moss — conclude their conversation around race and trauma. Susan, Abby, and Wendell take time to discuss the obstacles and the cost they have faced in stepping into honest conversation around race. The four together name the ways in which The Allender Center is only beginning to step into this conversation and their desires for the future.

This week, Dan, Susan, Abby, and Wendell continue their conversation around race and trauma. The three guests provide details of their stories, revealing ways in which they have been dismissed or threatened by the majority around them. They go on to review the ways in which the often well-meaning believing community has hurt them through words and assumptions.

This week, Dan is joined by three friends: Wendell Moss, Susan Kim, and Abby Wong-Heffter. Together, they begin a conversation around race and trauma, inviting listeners to engage as learners. The episode includes an honest conversation about race in light of the Allender Center's history. Finally, the four address a few of the common myths around racial trauma.