Just as it’s important to understand our own stories to make sense of our lives today, it’s also crucial to examine the stories within the church’s history to better understand how they are playing out in the present.

That’s why we’re excited to welcome back author, professor, and church historian The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt as she explores the life of a woman who played a significant role in the ministry, burial, and resurrection of Jesus: Mary Magdalene.

For too long, the church has misunderstood Mary Magdalene—her story often confused, scandalized, and undervalued. Yet, she was present at the resurrection. But why was this so important? Why was she chosen to witness and then commissioned to "go and tell," becoming the first apostle?

This powerful story reminds us that God calls the ordinary, imperfect, and unexpected to uniquely reveal the gospel.

You can preorder your copy of The Mary We Forgot: What the Apostle to the Apostles Teaches the Church Today by Jennifer Powell McNutt at bakerbookhouse.com. Use code ALLENDER50 to save 50% and get free shipping.

Join us for a compelling two-part conversation with author, ghostwriter, and investigative journalist Nancy French. In this episode, Nancy shares some of her story - from growing up in the impoverished foothills of the Appalachian Mountains to meeting her now-husband, journalist David French, and spontaneously moving to New York and beginning her career as ghostwriter for numerous books by conservative political leaders, including five that hit the New York Times bestselling list.

Stay tuned for part two in which Nancy talks about the deeply personal investigative journalism project that changed the course of her career and her life.

*** Listener discretion is advised: This two-part discussion includes discussion of child abuse, particularly sexual abuse, suicide, and some coarse language.

In this episode, Nancy opens up about her personal journey through childhood sexual abuse, revealing how it led her to take on an investigative journalism project that would dramatically alter both her career and her life. As the lead journalist, Nancy exposed the deep-rooted culture of enabling and covering up sexual abuse at one of the largest Christian camps in the U.S.

In the process of confronting her own past, Nancy also faced significant opposition, particularly from Christians who defended the camp. She and her husband endured personal attacks as they distanced themselves from conservative views that no longer reflected their faith.

The backlash Nancy encountered for her work has been intense. Dan comments, “Telling the truth is the root and the rule of freedom. But the price often for those who tell the truth is a form of imprisonment—a kind of being bound and sent out.”

Regardless of political views, Nancy’s story is one of pursuing truth, seeking justice, and finding healing in the most unexpected places. If you’d like to hear more from Nancy, be sure to pick up her book, “Ghosted: An American Story,” available wherever books are sold.

*** Listener discretion is advised: This two-part discussion includes discussion of child abuse, particularly sexual abuse, suicide, and some coarse language.

In this episode, Rachael Clinton Chen and her husband Michael Chen dive into the importance of parenting with kindness—not just toward children, but toward ourselves.

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, it's common for past traumas to resurface when you're feeling overwhelmed or stretched thin.

Rachael and Michael openly discuss the joys and challenges they've faced in their new marriage, blending families, raising young children, and navigating a pandemic, all of which have both triggered old wounds and offered opportunities for healing. This candid conversation is an invitation to explore how grief can be a catalyst for growth and how choosing kindness over harshness creates space for deeper connection and hope for yourself and for future generations.

If you’d like to hear more on this topic, we invite you to join Rachael Clinton Chen and trauma therapist Aundi Kolber on Friday, October 4, for a live webinar, “Parenting As a Trauma Survivor.” They’ll share trauma-informed insights to help you understand why parenting can be so triggering and offer practical tips for addressing your own healing while showing up for your children in the way they need most. Sign up to be part of the conversation at: theallendercenter.org/events

Dan opens today’s episode with this principle: “All harm came in relationship; all healing equally requires a relationship.”

If you’ve been with us for a while, you’ll understand that healing from abuse is not something we do alone. We need the presence and kindness of others to truly heal and flourish.

Yet, when we’ve been abused, it can feel so challenging to trust again, especially when trauma leaves us feeling isolated and hypervigilant.

In this episode, Dan and Rachael explore how finding supportive friends, reconnecting with family (if you are able to), and engaging in therapy can play an essential role as you move towards healing.

More importantly, they talk about how to discern who is truly safe, trustworthy, and supportive. They offer practical advice on what to look for in those who walk alongside you and how to know if they’re ready to support you.

We hope today’s conversation reveals the possibilities ahead and helps you take those first steps toward building meaningful relationships, inviting others into your healing journey.

This week, we’re sifting through some of the "debris" that can hinder people from moving into the healing process in the wake of sexual abuse.

Dan and Rachael talk about some of the questions that can keep people feeling stuck and silent: What if I don’t remember everything? What if my healing journey affects my loved ones? Shouldn’t I just forgive and move on? Can I wait until life isn’t so busy? What if facing this feels overwhelming?

By acknowledging these barriers, you can start to see a way through. Next week, we’ll discuss what’s needed to begin the healing journey from past abuse.

Please note that this episode contains discussions of sexual abuse and childhood sexual abuse, and may not be suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion is advised.

• Explore more podcast episodes including: "The Cost of Engaging Stories of Sexual Abuse," "Connections Between Spiritual and Sexual Abuse," and "Bearing Witness to Stories of Sexual Abuse and Racial Trauma."

• Read: Healing the Wounded Heart by Dr. Dan Allender

• Sign up for the Healing the Wounded Heart Online Course from the Allender Center

In this episode, Rachael Clinton Chen is joined by Vanessa Sadler, a trauma-informed spiritual director and contemplative creative, who brings heartfelt wisdom to the conversation about healing from personal and collective trauma and abuse. Vanessa draws on her unique training in the Enneagram, spiritual direction, and Narrative Focused Trauma Care to explore what spiritual direction truly is (and what it is not).

Vanessa highlights the transformative power of spiritual direction as a vital part of the healing journey, helping to renew our spiritual imagination and attachment to God, ourselves, and others. She also shares some contemplative practices and resources that can support this process, which are linked in the show notes below.

Listener Resources:

• Subscribe to NOURISH Daily, a guided journey delivered to your inbox for 30 days, at https://centerfjp.org/nourish/ .

• Vanessa’s recommended reading list includes: Starting Spiritual Direction by John Mabry, Meditations of the Heart by Howard Thurman, and The Gift of Being Yourself by David Benner. She also references authors Margaret Gunther and Kaitlin Curtice and therapist Melody Li.

• Read more about the Lectio Divina, Visio Divina, and the practices of kataphatic and apophatic prayer.

Listen to Peace Talks, a podcast hosted by Vanessa Sadler from the Center for Formation, Justice, and Peace. In particular, Vanessa references this episode with Linda Royster and Dan Allender.

Spiritual director and story coach, TJ Poon, sits down with Rachael Clinton Chen to explore the intersection of spiritual formation and White racial identity development.

We’ll begin by saying that we are approaching this conversation with a deep sense of responsibility and humility, honoring the voices of people of color who have led the way and are aware that two White people are not experts on racism. This is a complex topic and there will be missteps. Even when the conversations are difficult, we at the Allender Center know that the realities of racism and White supremacy cannot be ignored, and we are committed to holding a space to engage them.

In today’s episode, TJ and Rachael consider how White-bodied people understand their stories, how their stories and spiritual formation have been influenced by systems of Whiteness, and the challenge of feeling anchored and connected to family histories. They also acknowledge that on this journey of personal and collective healing, White people will inevitably need to confront anxiety, shame, and humiliation in their pursuit of restoration, with a commitment to what TJ calls “joyful anti-racist action.”

We hope you’ll join us in this conversation with curiosity, compassion, and courage, understanding that ongoing dialogue, learning, and formation are vital to our work with trauma on behalf of the kingdom of God.

We invite you to also listen to:

• Racial Trauma and White Supremacy

• Becoming an Anti-Racist, Part One

• Becoming an Anti-Racist, Part Two

• The Violence of Marginalization