Things Above

Conversation with AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta about their book, “Slow Theology.” [https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781587436437_slow-theology] In our fast-paced world of outrageous headlines and knee-jerk reactions, we struggle to hear God’s voice amid the noise. Despite constant connectivity, our lives lack true spiritual connection and depth. A. J. Swoboda and Nijay Gupta offer a practical theology guide for building resilient faith through Christian discipleship. Addressing spiritual deconstruction and doubt with honesty, they show how to fortify your faith against cultural challenges through eight transformative spiritual practices, including ● taking your time in prayer and Bible study, ● building patience for your spiritual journey and faith formation, ● slowing down your thinking and decision-making process, ● finding peace with unanswered questions rather than demanding easy solutions, and ● facing spiritual difficulties head-on instead of avoiding them. This Christian living book helps weary believers reconnect with God and neighbor through intentional spiritual growth. With a foreword by Glenn Packiam, it’s perfect for devotional reading, small group study, or anyone seeking authentic faith formation. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/things-above-donation/] Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! [https://www.friends.edu/undergraduate/theology-humanities/christian-formation-and-ministry-bachelor-of-arts/] Related Episodes: 1. Love Has You [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/12/love-has-you/] 2. Deny [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/05/deny/] 3. Conversation with Aundi Kolber [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/09/03/conversation-with-aundi-kolber/] 4. Integrate Like Jesus [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/08/27/integrate-like-jesus/] 5. Your Project [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/08/06/your-project/] The post Conversation with AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/12/03/conversation-with-aj-swoboda-and-nijay-gupta/] appeared first on Apprentice Institute [https://apprenticeinstitute.org].

Love Has You

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above in this episode is, “Love Has You.” Smith talks about the impact five authors have had on his spiritual life. These five authors are: Ian Morgan Cron, Michael Cusick, Aundi Kolber, Alison Cook, and Curt Thompson, M.D. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/things-above-donation/] Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! [https://www.friends.edu/undergraduate/theology-humanities/christian-formation-and-ministry-bachelor-of-arts/] Related Episodes: 1. Conversation with Aundi Kolber [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/09/03/conversation-with-aundi-kolber/] 2. Integrate Like Jesus [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/08/27/integrate-like-jesus/] 3. Your Project [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/08/06/your-project/] 4. Live By The Spirit [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/07/16/live-by-the-spirit/] 5. Conversation with Michael Stewart Robb [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/06/19/conversation-with-michael-stewart-robb/] The post Love Has You [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/12/love-has-you/] appeared first on Apprentice Institute [https://apprenticeinstitute.org].

Deny

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is Christ is lower, still. In this episode, James talks about an acronym he uses called DENY. Depend on God. Embrace God. Nurture and Yield to God. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/things-above-donation/] Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! [https://www.friends.edu/undergraduate/theology-humanities/christian-formation-and-ministry-bachelor-of-arts/] Related Episodes: 1. Deny [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/05/deny/] 2. Integrate Like Jesus [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/08/27/integrate-like-jesus/] 3. Your Project [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/08/06/your-project/] 4. Live By The Spirit [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/07/16/live-by-the-spirit/] 5. Conversation with Michael Stewart Robb [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/06/19/conversation-with-michael-stewart-robb/] The post Deny [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/11/05/deny/] appeared first on Apprentice Institute [https://apprenticeinstitute.org].

Conversation with Aundi Kolber

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above Conversation with Aundi Kolber about her book, “Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode–and into a Life of Connection and Joy.” Aundi Kolber believes that we don’t have to white-knuckle our way through life. In her debut book, Try Softer [https://www.amazon.com/Try-Softer-Approach-Mode-Connection/dp/1496439651], she’ll show us how God specifically designed our bodies and minds to work together to process our stories and work through obstacles. Through the latest psychology, practical clinical exercises, and her own personal story, Aundi equips and empowers us to connect us to our truest self and truly live. This is the “try softer” life. In Try Softer, you’ll learn how to: * Know and set emotional and relational boundaries * Make sense of the difficult experiences you’ve had * Identify your attachment style―and how that affects your relationships today * Move through emotions rather than get stuck by them * Grow in self-compassion and talk back to your inner critic Trying softer is sacred work. And while it won’t be perfect or easy, it will be worth it. Because this is what we were made for: a living, breathing, moving, feeling, connected, beautifully incarnational life. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/things-above-donation/] Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! [https://www.friends.edu/undergraduate/theology-humanities/christian-formation-and-ministry-bachelor-of-arts/] Related Episodes: 1. Integrate Like Jesus [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/08/27/integrate-like-jesus/] 2. Your Project [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/08/06/your-project/] 3. Live By The Spirit [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/07/16/live-by-the-spirit/] 4. Conversation with Michael Stewart Robb [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/06/19/conversation-with-michael-stewart-robb/] 5. False Frames [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/06/04/false-frames/] The post Conversation with Aundi Kolber [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/09/03/conversation-with-aundi-kolber/] appeared first on Apprentice Institute [https://apprenticeinstitute.org].

Integrate Like Jesus

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above in this episode is, “Integrate Like Jesus.” This week, James follows up on his previous episode, discussing God’s deep longing for us. Smith explains the four modes of being we live in: family, work, play, and entertainment. He describes how Jesus engaged in each of these modes and why they are essential. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/things-above-donation/] Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! [https://www.friends.edu/undergraduate/theology-humanities/christian-formation-and-ministry-bachelor-of-arts/] Related Episodes: 1. Your Project [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/08/06/your-project/] 2. Live By The Spirit [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/07/16/live-by-the-spirit/] 3. Conversation with Michael Stewart Robb [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/06/19/conversation-with-michael-stewart-robb/] 4. False Frames [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/06/04/false-frames/] 5. Everything Okay Forever [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/05/14/everything-okay-forever/] The post Integrate Like Jesus [https://apprenticeinstitute.org/2025/08/27/integrate-like-jesus/] appeared first on Apprentice Institute [https://apprenticeinstitute.org].