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18.07.2025
26 Minuten
Last week, we talked about dreaming—giving ourselves permission
to hope for delight and rest this summer. But what happens when
those dreams meet reality?
In Part 2 of the Sabbath Summer series, Dr. Dan Allender and
Rachael Clinton Chen explore the tension between desire and
disappointment—the beautiful and the broken that live side by
side in us, in others, and in the world. Because Sabbath isn’t
just about dreaming and planning. It’s about participating.
Living into the play.
But here’s the truth: Things rarely go exactly as we imagined.
Disappointment is often inevitable. And delight—true
delight—often comes not in spite of brokenness, but within it.
This episode is a deep invitation to stay in the story even when
plans unravel. Dan and Rachael reflect on the paradox of Sabbath
as a commandment that calls us not just to rest, but to remember
what we’re fighting for: connection, restoration, joy, and
relationship—with ourselves, each other, and with God.
Sabbath isn't an escape from the world’s urgency—it’s a radical
act of resistance and reconstruction within it.
As you listen, consider: How might you make space this summer not
just for fun, but for redemptive play—play that embraces
imperfection, disappointment, and still dares to hope?
*This episode contains some explicit language. Listener
discretion is advised.
Mehr
11.07.2025
28 Minuten
What if Sabbath isn’t just a day on your calendar—but a mindset
you carry with you into every part of your life?
In the first bite-sized episode of our 3-part summer series, Dr.
Dan Allender and Rachael Clinton Chen invite us to anticipate
rest and play, not just plan for it.
They explore how Sabbath can be more than a scheduled pause—it
can be a rhythm woven into your days, your relationships, even a
quiet afternoon on the porch.
Can you give yourself permission to imagine delight this
summer—without immediately turning it into a to-do list? And how
do we hold space for the parts of us that know disappointment,
that fear the desire might not be fulfilled?
This episode is an invitation to lean into your summer not with
pragmatism, but with anticipation—allowing hope, imagination, and
Sabbath delight to shape what’s possible.
Whether you're planning a vacation, navigating a full house, or
just trying to find 30 minutes of quiet—we hope this 3-part
series will encourage you to pause, reflect, and imagine a new
way of being present.
Mehr
03.07.2025
49 Minuten
DARVO—”Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender”—is a powerful
manipulation tactic often used to silence those who speak up
about harm. In this episode, Dan and Rachael unpack how DARVO
shows up not only in personal relationships but also in churches,
politics, and other systems where power is protected at all
costs.
Together, they explore the deep psychological and spiritual
impact of DARVO, particularly in narcissistic relationships or
systems. Drawing from Dr. Jennifer Freyd’s work on betrayal
trauma, they name the disorientation, grief, and exile that often
follow when someone dares to speak what is true.
What happens when cruelty masquerades as righteousness? When
loyalty is measured by silence? This conversation holds space for
those heartbreaks—and offers fierce, grounded hope.
In a culture that often gaslights those who cry out for justice,
Dan and Rachael remind us: love, truth, and healing are not just
possible—they are sacred acts of resistance. And it’s not
something we confront alone. With the presence of wise,
compassionate others—therapists, pastors, friends, and
communities of care—we can learn to trust what is true, reclaim
our voice, and boldly participate in the redemptive work of love.
Mehr
27.06.2025
47 Minuten
What does it take to cultivate real transformation in a faith
community? Not just busier programs or better Bible studies, but
real change – mind, body, and soul?
In this episode, Dr. Dan Allender and Rachael Clinton Chen talk
with Petra Malekzadeh, Facilitation Development Manager at the
Allender Center, about what it looks like to bring story work
into the life of a local church.
Drawing on her years of ministry leadership and her training in
Narrative Focused Trauma Care, Petra shares both the challenges
and beauty of inviting people to engage their stories as part of
discipleship. Listen in to explore:
Why story work belongs at the heart of spiritual formation
The importance of leadership buy-in and shared language
How to navigate resistance and build trust
What becomes possible when vulnerability is honored
This conversation invites you to imagine a church where story
work isn’t a side ministry—it’s how we grow into the people God
is calling us to be.
Mehr
20.06.2025
52 Minuten
If you like a good story, we think you’ll like this episode.
This week, we’re honored to welcome John Kasich—a national
leader, lifelong public servant, and gifted storyteller.
Throughout his career, he’s met thousands of people, and he’s
here to share just a few of the stories that have stayed with
him.
As the 69th Governor of Ohio (2011–2019), Gov. Kasich led with a
focus on unity and problem-solving. He rose to national
prominence during his 2016 presidential run and continues to
serve today through his work with the Kasich Company, his role as
a political analyst for NBC and MSNBC, and as the author of
several New York Times bestsellers.
His latest book, Heaven Help Us: How Faith Communities Inspire
Hope, Strengthen Neighborhoods, and Build the Future, is the
heart of this week’s conversation.
John shares some of his personal journey—including how the sudden
loss of his parents in a car accident became a life-altering
moment. He also invites us into the deeply moving stories from
his new book—stories of ordinary people in churches, synagogues,
and mosques doing extraordinary work to serve their neighbors.
These aren’t just heartwarming accounts; they’re powerful
reminders of how faith can drive tangible, lasting change.
This conversation moves quickly—so we encourage you to grab a
copy of Heaven Help Us and spend time with these stories
yourself.
Join us for a conversation full of hope, challenge, and
inspiration—about what’s possible when we come together, rooted
in faith, to love our neighbors and build a better world.
Mehr
Über diesen Podcast
The Allender Center Podcast features Dr. Dan Allender and his team
engaging topics on healing and restoration through the unique
intersection of theology and psychology. Through questions
submitted by listeners, stories, interviews, and conversations, we
engage the deep places of heartache and hope that are rarely
addressed so candidly in our culture today. Join us to gain
refreshing insight into understanding your story, handling
relational struggles, recovering from trauma and abuse, and more.
The mission of The Allender Center is to help people tell their
stories with awareness and integrity, and to train them to listen
to the stories of others with care, artistry, and skill so that
they may foster redemption and healing in their lives. The Allender
Center is a pioneering organization committed to boldly engaging
the impact of trauma and abuse, providing healing and teaching to
individuals, couples, and communities, and training professionals
to listen and enter into stories in a way that facilitates
transformation and hope. For information on all our programs and
live events, visit theallendercenter.org
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