Episodes

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Ruth Haley Barton. In this episode, James and Ruth discuss her book, “Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again” In her book, Ruth offers hard-won wisdom and practical steps for developing rhythms of work and rest that bring life—to us and to the communities we lead. Ruth has been a student, practitioner, and thought leader in the area of Christian spirituality and formation for over 20 years. When she fo...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “You can have an Abba experience.” Smith opens the episode with the question, what is the one thing you think God most wants for you? He gives a few different answers to his question but ultimately says that what Jesus wants most for us is to experience eternal life now. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! Related Episodes...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “we need the church.” In this episode, James talks about the impact of attending church and why we need it. To help illustrate his thought from above, Smith references two songs written by Rich Mullins; “Sometimes by Step” and “Creed.” Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! Related Episodes: 1. Conversation with Trevor Hudso...

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above Conversation with long-time friend and author Trevor Hudson. In this episode, James asks Trevor questions about his upcoming book, “Seeking God-Finding Another Kind of Life with St Ignatius and Dallas Willard.” Trevor is the author of over 22 books and has worked with Renovaré International Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation, the Dallas Willard Center for Christian Spiritual Formation, and the Jesuit Institute in South Africa. Learn more about Trevo...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “your portion is perfect peace.” In this episode, James talks about times when we struggle with our faith and what we can do during those times. Smith recalls a song that helps to explain his thought from above called, Christ Abides by Eliza King. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! Related Episodes: 1. Doubting Thomas 2...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “Our doubts do not trouble Jesus.” In this episode, James talks about the disciple known as “Doubting Thomas,” and explains why we should not think of Thomas in a negative way. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! Related Episodes: 1. Conversation with Seth & Heather Thompson Day 2. King & Kingdom 3. Trust Without Reserv...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “As is the king, so is the kingdom.” In this episode, James talks about Holy Week, how Jesus came to defeat death for good, and a leader’s impact on their followers. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! Related Episodes: 1. Trust Without Reservation 2. Rhythms of Grace 3. Conversation with Richard Foster 4. God is Glori...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “faith is trust without reservation.” In this episode, James explains that faith is an extension of knowledge based on knowledge. Smith illustrates his thought from above by referencing Moses’s story and struggles. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! Related Episodes: 1. Rhythms of Grace 2. Conversation with Richard Fost...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” In this episode, James discusses four questions that Dallas Willard says all humans must ask and should answer. The first question is, what is real? The second question is, who is truly well off? The third question is, who is a truly good person? The fourth question is, how does one become a good person? Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiri...

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Richard Foster. James and Richard have been good friends for over 40 years. In this episode, James talks with Richard about his latest book, “Learning Humility.” Brenda Quinn joined Richard for this conversation as she helped Richard with the writing process for this book. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! Related Epis...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is God is Glorious. In this episode, James talks about a recent challenge he gave himself. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! Related Episodes: 1. Magnificent Mission 2. Conversation with AJ Swoboda Part Two 3. With God Life 4. The Best Gift 5. Conversation with Matt Tebbe and Ben Sternke The post God is Glorious appeare...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above in this episode is, we are all on a magnificent mission. This week James discusses what Dallas Willard calls the “Great Ommission” and the Great “Commission.” In this episode, James explains how we are all called to be apprentices of Jesus and what that means for us. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! Related Episodes: 1. Conversation...

James Bryan Smith has a second Things Above conversation with AJ Swoboda. James interviews AJ on his latest book, “After Doubt.” Learn more about AJ on his website here! Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! Related Episodes: 1. The Best Gift 2. Conversation with Matt Tebbe and Ben Sternke 3. You are Called 4. With God Life 5. Conversation with James Bryan Smith The post ...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “the kingdom of God is the with-God life.” James opens the episode with a story about a time he was a teaching assistant for Dallas Willard. Dallas asked the class the question, what is the gospel? In the episode, Smith explains the gospel and how we can live into the gospel now. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! Related...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “Give the best gift you can give.” In light of the advent season, Smith gives us an example of the best gift we can give someone. James says the best we can give is not something money can buy. To help explain his thought from above, Smith gives us a prayer practice that he uses. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! Related...

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Matt Tebbe and Ben Sternke about their latest book, Having the Mind of Christ: Eight Axioms to Cultivate a Robust Faith. Matt and Ben are the cofounders of Gravity Leadership, located in Indiana. Matt and Ben co-authored “Having the Mind of Christ” and it addresses one of the common pitfalls we see in the most well-intentioned discipleship efforts: a focus on practices rather than doing the deeper work of learning a new paradigm. Before our ...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “you are called.” In this episode, James talks about vocational calling and its impact on our life. Many have felt they are called to a specific job, while others may have never felt that calling. Smith explains how no matter the vocation or the calling, we all long for a good and beautiful life of purpose and joy. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Schola...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “you have a sacred story.” In this episode, James explains how we all have an origin story that has shaped us into the person we are today. In our origin story, we encounter trauma, and Smith explains the difference between what he calls “small t” trauma and “big t” trauma. He goes on further to explain how those types of trauma impact how we view ourselves. To close the episode, Smith ends with a story about Fanny Crosby to help explain his t...

In this episode, James Bryan Smith is interviewed by his friend Dr. Jeff Bjorck to ask James questions about his latest book, “The Good and Beautiful You.” Dr. Bjorck is a licensed psychologist and a lifelong friend of James. Jeff helped Jim during the writing process for “The Good and Beautiful You” and has also been a guest on this podcast. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends Universi...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “you are made for God.” James begins the episode explaining why we have a longing for the “more than.” To help explain his thought from above, Smith gives two examples from his life where he experienced the closeness of God. To close the episode, James explains why we exist, and that is to glorify God. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Frie...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this episode is; you are God’s masterpiece. Following his last episode, Smith talks about our significance to God. Smith continues to expose the false narratives we have about God and counters them with his thought from above through examples in our daily lives. James closes the episode with a story from his friend David Nelson. Interested in donating to The Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Formation & Ministry degree and s...

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above in this episode is, “you are significant.” Smith explains how many of us struggle with the narrative that we are not enough. To help illustrate his thought from above, James tells us two stories that show us why we are more than enough in God’s eyes. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Purchase “The Good and Beautiful You” by James Bryan Smith here! Related Episodes: 1. Jesus is the Answer 2. Conversation with Gem Fadling 3....

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above in this episode is; Jesus is the answer. Smith opens the episode with a couple of questions that many people have about God. The first question is, does God really love me? The second question is, what is God like? James explains how Jesus is the answer to both of these questions with a few bible verses. To close the episode, Smith quotes an 18th-century Italian Catholic Bishop named Saint Alphonsus Liguori. He uses these two quotes to explain further how ...

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above Conversation with Gem Fadling. In This episode, James and Gem discuss her latest book, “Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads.” Gem Fadling, CLC, is a founding partner of Unhurried Living, Inc., a non-profit that trains people to rest deeper, live fuller and lead better. She is a Certified Life Coach and a trained Spiritual Director who coaches women at the intersection of spiritual leadership and soul care. Gem is the host of the I Can ...