Discipleship Conversations

16/04/2025

Space to Grieve – A Conversation with Ben Ries
“[Grief] is going to stay there whether we want it to or recognize it or not. Grief finds its way into our bones and if we don’t address it, if we don’t hold it, if we don’t find ways to metabolize it, it’ll remain and more times than not it comes out sideways.”

Grief is a part of life, but too often, we don’t make space for it—especially in the church. In this episode, hosts Steven Carrizal and Cheryl Russell talk with Ben Ries, a hospital chaplain, about the importance of grief and lament. Why does grief matter in our faith? What happens when we ignore it? And how can churches create spaces where people can grieve honestly and find hope? Join us for this meaningful conversation on walking through sorrow with faith and community.

Dr. Ben Ries is a staff chaplain at Peacehealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, WA. Before stepping into chaplaincy, he served as a minister in churches in the Pacific Northwest for eighteen years followed by seven years in higher education administration at Abilene Christian University - Dallas. Ben has a Master's of Divinity from Abilene Christian University and Doctor of Ministry from Lipscomb University. He and his wife, Jen, have three adult children who are beautiful humans and a delight to be around. Ben and Jen spend their free time together camping, hiking, playing games, and laughing. Feel free to reach out via email at [email protected].
Episode link:

“[Grief] is going to stay there whether we want it to orrecognize it or not. Grief finds its way into our bones and if we don’t address it, if we don’t hold it, if we don’t find ways to metabolize it, it’ll remain and more times than not it comes out sideways.”Grief is a part of life, bu...

19/03/2025

IT'S A NEW SEASON AT DISCIPLESHIP CONVERSATIONS!

Season 6 kicks off with power from our friend, Mallory Wyckoff.
Listening for God: A Conversation on Spiritual Direction.

There comes a time in every seeker’s life when the well runs dry, when prayer feels hollow, scripture feels distant, and the certainty that once steadied our steps begins to shift like sand beneath our feet. In those moments, we do not need more noise, more answers, or more tasks to complete. We need a companion; a wise and patient listener who can help us hear the voice of God again.

In this episode of Discipleship Conversations, hosts Cheryl Russell and Tiffany Dahlman welcome Dr. Mallory Wyckoff, a writer, speaker, spiritual director, and peacemaker who has spent her life holding space for others to encounter the sacred. As the founder of The Healing Collective Center for Spiritual Formation and associate director of philanthropy communications for Search for Common Ground, Mallory has witnessed firsthand the quiet, transformative power of spiritual direction, especially helpful for those who lead and serve.

Together, they explore the deep well of spiritual direction, how it differs from pastoral counseling, how it helps weary souls rediscover their footing, and why it matters for pastors and leaders. Mallory also shares how trauma shapes the way we see God and what it means to bring our whole selves, wounded and wondering, into the presence of the divine.
If you have ever longed for a way to tend your soul with curiosity and courage, this conversation is for you.

Mallory Wyckoff (DMin, MTS, MA) is a writer, speaker, spiritual director, and peacemaker. She is associate director of philanthropy communications with Search for Common Ground, the world’s largest organization dedicated to peacebuilding. She is also the founder and director of The Healing Collective Center for Spiritual Formation, where she trains individuals to become certified spiritual directors. As part of her doctoral program in missional and spiritual formation, Mallory’s dissertation explored the impact of sexual trauma on survivors’ theological perception and spiritual formation—an inquiry that continues to inform her work at every turn. In all her work, Mallory creates spaces and content that help people access themselves and their spirituality with curiosity, honesty, and courage. She lives with her husband, daughters, and a million retirees in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Episode Link: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/discipleshipconversations/episodes/Listening-for-God-A-Conversation-on-Spiritual-Direction--A-Conversation-with-Mallory-Wyckoff-e2vsmq9