🎙️ EP 15 — Manny Garcia | Faith With a Body: The Theology of Embodied Discipleship

🎙️ EP 15 — Manny Garcia | Faith With a Body: The Theology of Embodied Discipleship

What if your body isn't simply carrying your soul—but is actually part of how God is forming you? In this episode of Rhythms & Roots, Donnie sits down with longtime friend Dr. Manny Garcia, General Superintendent of Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends, for a deeply theological and practical conversation about what it means to follow Jesus as embodied people. Their friendship goes back to Barclay College, but so does a shared interest in the connection between formation and the way we actually live. Manny brings together years of theological education, pastoral leadership, athletics, and his growing love of endurance running—including his current journey toward a 100-mile ultramarathon. Together, they explore why the Incarnation validates the goodness and significance of the human body, why Christian discipleship cannot be reduced to something merely intellectual or "spiritual," and how physical health, movement, sleep, suffering, rest, Sabbath, and even running can become places of spiritual formation. The conversation also wrestles with an important tension: How do we steward our bodies without making health another idol? How do pastors and leaders pursue faithful ministry without treating exhaustion as evidence of faithfulness? And what does the Christian hope of resurrection tell us about God's intention for the whole person? This is a conversation about running—but it's about much more than running. It's about becoming fully present to the life God has given us. Body. Soul. Mind. Relationships. Work. Rest. Calling. Because the life you're living is forming the person you're becoming. Links: TikTok: @mannyruns Instagram: @MannyGarcia Book reference: You Are What You Love; The Spiritual Power of Habit by James K.A. Smith CHAPTERS 00:00 — Manny, Barclay College & Our Story 01:00 — From Soccer to Running 03:02 — Does Your Body Matter to Your Faith? 05:48 — Why the Incarnation Changes Everything 10:54 — Are Body and Soul Really Separate? 34:44 — Physical Health & Spiritual Health 35:24 — When Our Bodies Affect Our Ministry 37:02 — Rhythms That Form Us 45:37 — Sabbath, Rest & Human Limits 01:06:24 — When Health Becomes an Idol 01:07:53 — Embodied Discipleship 01:08:09 — What Running Has Taught Manny 01:09:28 — What Happens When You Want to Quit 01:10:29 — A Theology of Running 01:12:21 — The Redemption of the Whole Person 01:15:20 — Why We Need Community 01:31:12 — Work, Rest & the Need to Stop 01:33:10 — Eternity in Finite Bodies 01:35:34 — Selah: Reflection & Prayer

🎙️ EP14 | Season 3, Episode 3 "The Race Beyond Ego" Dylan Ledbetter | Cocodona 250

🎙️ Rhythms & Roots | Season 3, Episode 3 THE RACE BEYOND EGO DYLAN LEDBETTER ON FAITH, IDENTITY, AND COCODONA 250 What happens when the finish line stops being about you? In this powerful conversation, ultra runner Dylan Ledbetter shares the story behind his journey through Cocodona 250—one of the most demanding endurance races in the world. But this isn't simply a race recap. It's a conversation about identity, surrender, suffering, purpose, and faith. Dylan opens up about growing up through family trauma, serving in the military, losing friends, battling alcohol, discovering endurance sports, and ultimately finding Christ in the middle of a search for purpose. Along the way, he shares how ultra running became more than a physical challenge—it became a classroom for spiritual formation. Together, Donnie and Dylan explore what happens when endurance strips away ego, performance, and recognition, leaving only the deeper questions of who we are and who God is calling us to become. At the heart of the conversation is a profound realization Dylan experienced just days before the race: "I almost wanted to remove my name from the bib." What followed was not just a 250-mile journey across Arizona, but a journey from achievement toward surrender. This episode is about faith under pressure, purpose beyond performance, and discovering that the greatest victories often happen long before the finish line. "The life you're living is forming the person you're becoming." SHOW NOTES In this episode of Rhythms & Roots, Donnie sits down with ultra runner Dylan Ledbetter to explore the intersection of endurance, faith, identity, suffering, and spiritual formation. After recently completing the legendary Cocodona 250, Dylan reflects on the deeper lessons learned through ultra running and how God used endurance to reshape his understanding of purpose, success, and personal identity. IN THIS EPISODE • Growing up through family trauma and loss • How wrestling and military service shaped resilience • Losing purpose after leaving the Army • Alcohol, grief, and searching for meaning • The unexpected role David Goggins played in his transformation • Giving his life to Christ before his first ultra marathon • The significance of "40" and a defining moment of faith • Why suffering often becomes a catalyst for growth • The spiritual lessons hidden within endurance sports • The difference between performance and purpose • Learning to become a vessel instead of seeking recognition • Cocodona 250 and the moment everything changed • Why Dylan almost removed his name from the race bib • Trusting God when fear, exhaustion, and uncertainty collide • Community, crew, pacers, and the power of shared endurance • How Scripture became part of his race strategy • The beauty of Arizona and the spiritual significance of the journey • Facing fear on Mount Elden • Faith, success, influence, and staying grounded • What comes next after accomplishing a dream MEMORABLE QUOTES "I almost wanted to remove my name from the bib." "It's about being the vessel, not the recognition." "If Jesus died on the cross for my sinful self, I can move my body across this finish line." "Not me." "Every step in His name. Every step closer to the finish." "God is undeniable." KEY TAKEAWAY The greatest challenge of endurance isn't physical. It's surrender. When performance, recognition, and ego are stripped away, we discover who we really are—and who God is forming us to become.

Rhythms & Roots | Deeper #1 The Long Ride of Ministry | A Conversation with Dave Debus

RHYTHMS & ROOTS | DEEPER #1 THE LONG RIDE OF MINISTRY | A CONVERSATION WITH DAVE DEBUS Welcome to the first episode of Deeper, a new leadership series within the Rhythms & Roots podcast. While Rhythms & Roots has always explored spiritual formation, health, purpose, and the rhythms that shape our lives, Deeper is designed to explore the calling, challenges, and formation of those who lead. Through honest conversations with pastors, ministry leaders, church planters, and faithful servants, we'll uncover the lessons that are often learned far from the spotlight. For our inaugural episode, Donnie sits down with longtime pastor and leader Dave Debus. From rural ministry on the eastern plains to decades of faithful service, Dave shares stories of calling, perseverance, leadership, and what it means to stay faithful when ministry isn't glamorous and growth isn't measured by numbers alone. Together they explore: * The difference between success and faithfulness * Lessons learned through decades of ministry * Leading in small communities * Endurance in leadership * The importance of relationships and presence * What keeps a pastor going through difficult seasons * Why the Kingdom of God is often built through ordinary acts of faithfulness Whether you're a pastor, ministry leader, volunteer, or simply someone seeking to live a faithful life, this conversation offers wisdom forged through years of walking with God and serving others. Because leadership isn't a sprint. It's a long ride. Rhythms & Roots | Deeper Conversations That Shape Leaders

🎙️EP13 |Breathe. Move. Become. SEASON 3 | #2 "Breathe . Move . Become with Josh Fly (Audio Fixed)

The conversation explores the theme of endurance, focusing on the physical and spiritual aspects of endurance in everyday life. It delves into the significance of breath, the challenges of endurance training, and the transformative power of experiential and formative experiences. The conversation also highlights the importance of community, invitation, and the connection between physical movement and spiritual growth. The conversation delves into the transformative power of nature, solitude, and self-discovery, as well as the spiritual and professional insights gained from challenging experiences. It also explores the significance of breath work and its impact on physical and spiritual well-being. Takeaways * Endurance * Breath * Experiential Transformation Solitude in nature can lead to profound self-discovery and spiritual awakening. * Breath work is a powerful tool for physical and spiritual well-being. Chapters * 00:00 Transformative Experiences and Community Connection * 38:06 The Power of Breath Work and Its Spiritual Significance

🎙️ RHYTHMS & ROOTS | EP012 | SEASON 3 | #1 “Formed: The Life You’re Living Is Shaping You”

RHYTHMS & ROOTS — SEASON 3, EPISODE 11 FORMED: THE LIFE YOU’RE LIVING IS SHAPING YOU EPISODE SUMMARY What if your life is shaping you more than you realize? Not just the major decisions… but the small rhythms you repeat every single day. In this solo episode of Rhythms & Roots, Donnie explores how spiritual formation is deeply connected to the way we live in our bodies, structure our days, respond to pressure, and move through the world. Through reflections on running, endurance training, discipleship, and everyday life, this episode wrestles with a deeper question: What does it actually mean for Jesus to be Lord? Not merely first on a priority list… but present over every part of life. This conversation moves beyond surface-level spirituality and into embodied faith — where pace, attention, recovery, surrender, and daily rhythms all become part of spiritual formation. If you’ve been feeling scattered, exhausted, disconnected, or spiritually reactive, this episode offers a slower invitation: Transformation rarely happens all at once. It happens through the small rhythms that shape us over time. IN THIS EPISODE — Why formation is already happening whether we notice it or not — The connection between spiritual life and physical life — Romans 12 and the difference between conformity and transformation — Why “God first” can sometimes miss the deeper invitation of Lordship — Colossians 1 and the supremacy of Christ — Running, endurance, and the theology of repetition — How small daily rhythms quietly shape our souls — Practical ways to slow down and reconnect with God in everyday life KEY QUOTES “The life you’re living is forming the person you’re becoming.” “You can’t separate your spiritual life from your physical life.” “God is not asking for a place in your life. He is inviting you to let Him be Lord of your life.” “It’s easy to put God first and still live the rest of the day on our own terms.” “Transformation happens through repetition.” SCRIPTURE REFERENCES — Romans 12:1–2 — Colossians 1:15–18 PRACTICAL CHALLENGE This week, choose one rhythm and practice it with God. Maybe it’s: — A daily walk — A slower morning — A breath prayer — Five minutes of stillness — A simple daily check-in with God Don’t just do it. Do it with Him. CONNECT + FOLLOW 🎙️ Rhythms & Roots Hosted by Donnie Hinshaw Exploring faith, formation, endurance, leadership, and the rhythms that shape our lives. YouTube: @rhythmsroots Instagram: @donniehinshaw #RhythmsAndRoots #SpiritualFormation #ChristianPodcast #EmbodiedFaith #TrailRunning #FaithAndFitness #Formation #Discipleship #Leadership #RunningCulture