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Interested in taking a deep dive into your spiritual and missional formation? Hosted by Dr. Brian Russell (Professor of Biblical Studies and Spiritual Coach), the Deep Dive Spirituality Conversations Podcast will explore the contours of spiritual formation, leadership, and missional practice in our present reality through solo episodes and interviews with leading practitioners and thinkers.
Episodes
7 days ago
7 days ago
Brian Russell (Ph.D., Professor of Biblical Studies) shares key lessons on teaching for transformation from 25 years as a professor at Asbury Theological Seminary.
Sign up for Brian’s Monthly Update/Newsletter: www.brianrussellphd.com/newsletter
Key Lessons:
1 Focus on helping your audience succeed
2 People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. –John Maxwell
3 Help your audience draw on their core “why” for internal motivation.
4 Your audience wants feedback from you (“Grade your own papers.”)
5 Master verbal kung-fu
6 Don’t be a prisoner to technology
7 Build systems so that you can give high touch on what matters most to your students
8 Overdeliver.
9 Future pace your students.
10. Share yourself
11. Learn and implement new tactics or techniques annually
12. Continuous quality improvement
13. Figure out the 20% that delivers 80% of the value and focus on it
14. Deliver an experience and help students integrate learning immediately into their life
15. Set an intention each day for how you will show up: Curious. Interested. Committed.
16. Remember what it’s like to be student.
17. Only as good as your last class/session
Brian Russell’s Books
Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3uuWCoQ
Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ
(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9
Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/
Join Brian’s Monthly free centering prayer update and gathering: www.centeringprayerbook.com
Connecting with Brian: Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: brian@brianrussellphd.com
Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a tiny percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Brian Russell (Ph.D., Professor of Biblical Studies) shares key lessons for life and mission on the occasion of his 56th birthday.
Sign up for Brian’s Monthly Update/Newsletter: www.brianrussellphd.com/newsletter
Key Lessons:
1 Two One Line Prayers that Summarize My Relationship with God.
2 The Gospel comes to us on its way to someone else. – Alex McManus
3 You want to set a goal big enough that in the process of attaining it you become someone worth becoming. – Jim Rohn
4 “Courage is the key that unlocks the door to the future of God’s dreams.” Brian
5 “Skin in the game.” Nassim Taleb
6 Small things done consistently over time yield extraordinary results – The Magic Lamp
7 Be for something not merely against things
8 Practice Abundance
9 IDEA Sex
10. Winning isn’t always learning; but learning is always winning. — Dan Sullivan
Bonus: “Today is the 1st day of the rest of your life. Trust. Surrender. Walk the path.”
Recommended Books:
John Maxwell, Failing Forward https://amzn.to/4dgeMwY
Epictetus, Discourses and Selected Writings https://amzn.to/42MJdY0
Hendricks, The Big Leap https://amzn.to/3GDtMJ5
Ellis, The Magic Lamp: Goal Setting for People Who Hate Setting Goals https://amzn.to/4k8f0bF
Taleb, Skin in the Game https://amzn.to/44r9nkj
Brian Russell’s Books
Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3uuWCoQ
Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ
(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9
Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/
Join Brian’s Monthly free centering prayer gathering: www.centeringprayerbook.com
Connecting with Brian:
Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: brian@brianrussellphd.com
Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links Amazon returns a tiny percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.
Monday Apr 21, 2025
Monday Apr 21, 2025
Seven Lessons the Church Can Learn from Bob Dylan
The Never Ending Tour
Don’t Rely on the Greatest Hits Package
Challenge the Audience
Go to New Places
Make It about the Music
Rely on Your Band
Reinvent Continually While Always Being True to Your Roots
Sign up for Brian’s Monthly Update: www.brianrussellphd.com
Buy me a coffee to support this work: www.paypal.me/drbrianrussell
Recommended Books on Bob Dylan
Sounes, Down the Highway https://amzn.to/3RYBOOV
Wald, Dylan Goes Electric https://amzn.to/3YEsDXE
Brian Russell’s Books
Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3uuWCoQ
Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ
(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9
Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/
Join Brian’s Monthly free centering prayer gathering: www.centeringprayerbook.com
Connecting with Brian:
Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Interested in coaching or inviting
Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group?
Email: brian@brianrussellphd.com
Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a tiny percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.
Saturday Mar 29, 2025
Saturday Mar 29, 2025
Brian Russell offers a poignant reading of Psalm 137 and shows how psalms of vengeance can help us to grow in love for God and neighbor. Brian talks about trauma and how certain expressions of faith actually oppress traumatized people.
Sign up for Brian’s Monthly Update: www.brianrussellphd.com
Buy me a coffee to support this work: www.paypal.me/drbrianrussell
Brian Russell’s Books
Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3uuWCoQ
Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ
(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9
Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/
Join Brian’s Monthly free centering prayer gathering: www.centeringprayerbook.com
Connecting with Brian:
Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group?
Email: brian@brianrussellphd.com
Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a tiny percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Monday Mar 10, 2025
In this week's episode, Brian Russell reflects on how to think about and surrender into a time of spiritual growth during the season of Lent and beyond. He shares from his own experiences as well as from the wisdom of John Mark Comer, Dallas Willard, JR Woodward, John Wooden, AJ Sherrill, and Martyn Lloyd–Jones.
Buy me a coffee (Thank you for supporting my work): www.paypal.me/drbrianrussell
Resources Mentioned by Brian
"How a Rule of Life Helps Your Growth in Love for God and Neighbor" https://youtu.be/r98dPPZARH0
John Mark Comer, Practicing the Way https://amzn.to/4kr6GV9
Interview with JR Woodward https://youtu.be/58De8PsisLg
Interview with AJ Sherrill https://youtu.be/-OfQ3IQbA78
AJ Sherrill, The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation: How Knowing Ourselves Can Make Us More Like Jesus (2020) https://amzn.to/36hezJj
Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines https://amzn.to/41vi4GU
Sign up for Brian’s Monthly Update: www.brianrussellphd.com
Brian Russell’s Books
Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3uuWCoQ
Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ
(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9
Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/
Join Brian’s Monthly free centering prayer gathering: www.centeringprayerbook.com
Connecting with Brian:
Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group?
Email: brian@brianrussellphd.com
Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Monday Mar 03, 2025
In this week’s episode, Dr. Arianna Molloy takes us on a deep dive into the practice and mindsets of sustainable work. We talk about Christian identity and calling and the unique challenges around overwork and even burnout for persons living out a calling. You will gain valuable insights into pursuing your calling and doing so in a way that allows you to grow and serve for the long term.
Buy a copy of Healthy Calling: From Toxic Burnout to Sustainable Work
https://amzn.to/43fBCll
Dr. Arianna Molloy is an Associate Professor of Organizational Communication in the Division of Communication at Biola University.
Website: www.ariannamolloy.com
Books Recommends by Arianna:
C.S. Lewis, Great Divorce https://amzn.to/3FeMOo7
––The Horse and His Boy https://amzn.to/4h4EiFE
Dallas Willard books https://amzn.to/3XlXqrO
Manning, The Furious Longing of God https://amzn.to/43lhSg7
Jane Austen books https://amzn.to/3XpB0pu
Sign up for Brian’s Monthly Update: www.brianrussellphd.com
Brian Russell’s Books
Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3uuWCoQ
Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ
(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9
Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/
Join Brian’s Monthly free centering prayer gathering: www.centeringprayerbook.com
Connecting with Brian:
Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group?
Email: brian@brianrussellphd.com
Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
Brian Russell offers a deep dive into how to integrate high altitude spiritual experiences with God. He uses as a model the Transfiguration of Jesus as reported in Luke 9:28–36. Brian offers a close reading of the experience of Peter, John and James in light of the wider context of Luke 9. You will gain insights into the biblical text and learn practices for turning spiritual experiences into transformational living in your day to day life.
Interested in joining Brian Russell's Deeper program (launches each Mar 1 and Sept 1): www.brianrussellphd.com/deeper or email: brian@brianrussellphd.com
Sign up for Brian’s Monthly Update: www.brianrussellphd.com/newsletter
Brian Russell’s Books
Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3uuWCoQ
Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ
(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9
Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/
Join Brian’s Monthly free centering prayer gathering: www.centeringprayerbook.com
Connecting with Brian:
Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group?
Email: brian@brianrussellphd.com
Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.
#transfiguration #Luke #jesus
Saturday Feb 15, 2025
Saturday Feb 15, 2025
Carolyn Moore, a Bishop in the Global Methodist Church, joins me for a deep dive into spiritual leadership. We talk about the role of the holy spirit, Christian leadership, holiness, mentoring others, and discerning God's will.
Find out more about Bishop Carolyn Moore: www.artofholiness.com
Interested in joining Brian Russell's Deeper program (launches each Mar 1 and Sept 1): www.brianrussellphd.com/deeper or email: brian@brianrussellphd.com
Sign up for Brian’s Monthly Update: www.brianrussellphd.com/newsletter
Books by Carolyn Moore:
When Women Lead: Embrace Your Authority, Move Beyond Barriers, and Find Joy in Leading Others https://amzn.to/4hX1c2y
Supernatural: Experiencing the Power of God's Kingdom https://amzn.to/3EyDUS7
19: Questions to Kindle a Wesleyan Spirit https://amzn.to/3X53HId
Books Recommended by Carolyn Moore:
John Oswalt, Called to Be Holy https://amzn.to/3QjVGeB
Matt O'Reilly, Free to Be Holy https://amzn.to/4k2Ph52
Diane Ury, Holy Love https://amzn.to/4k06Vq8
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity https://amzn.to/41eVTGi
Oswald Chambers https://amzn.to/4iizWfh
Dennis Kinlaw, Let's Start with Jesus https://amzn.to/4hYCHSK Ken Blue, Authority to Heal https://amzn.to/4hQvfJg
Brian Russell’s Books
Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3uuWCoQ
Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ
(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9
Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/
Join Brian’s Monthly free centering prayer gathering: www.centeringprayerbook.com
Connecting with Brian:
Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group?
Email: brian@brianrussellphd.com
Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.
#holyspirit #holiness #spiritualleader
Saturday Feb 08, 2025
Saturday Feb 08, 2025
In this episode, Ben Gosden takes us on a deep dive into faith, grace and recovery from addiction in all its forms. We talk about surrender as the pathway to deep healing, right sizing our lives, and growing in God's grace.
Check out Ben's new book: Grace Rediscovered: Finding Hope and Healing through Faith and Recovery: https://amzn.to/3WQzH2u
Rev. Dr. Ben Gosden is the senior pastor of historic Trinity United Methodist Church in Savannah, GA. Originally from Columbus, GA, Ben graduated from Columbus State University with a degree in Political Science. He earned his M.Div. and D. Min. degrees from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Ben is a Christ-follower, husband, father, pastor, and pilgrim on a journey, in the hope that out of our deepest wounds can flow God’s greatest work.
Contact Ben Gosden at bgosden1982@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.bengosdencoaching.com.
Books Recommended by Ben:
Cal Newport, Slow Productivity https://amzn.to/4jP74g0
Brad Stulberg , The Practice of Groundedness https://amzn.to/4jOesby
Brian Russell's Info
Interested in joining Brian Russell's Deeper program (launches each Mar 1 and Sept 1): www.brianrussellphd.com/deeper
Sign up for Brian’s Monthly Update: www.brianrussellphd.com/newsletter
Brian Russell’s Books
Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3uuWCoQ
Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ
(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9
Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/
Join Brian’s Monthly free centering prayer gathering: www.centeringprayerbook.com
Connecting with Brian:
Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group?
Email: brian@brianrussellphd.com
Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.
#addiction #spiritualgrowth #recovery
Monday Jan 27, 2025
Monday Jan 27, 2025
In this episode, Brian Russell takes you on a deep dive into how to overcome burnout, workaholism and overwhelm in ministry.
He breaks down elements to flourishing and thriving:
(1) Establishing one’s true values and mission
(2) Learning to feel one’s feelings
(3) Setting up a rule of life
(4) Practicing Sabbath
(5) Creating firm boundaries via rules for saying “yes” or “no”
Interested in Deeper: www.brianrussellphd.com/deeper
Sign up for Brian’s Monthly Update: www.brianrussellphd.com/newsletter
Brian Russell’s Books
Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3uuWCoQ
Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ
(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9
Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/
Join Brian’s Monthly free centering prayer gathering: www.centeringprayerbook.com
Connecting with Brian:
Website: www.brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group?
Email: brian@brianrussellphd.com
Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.
#burnout #ministry #spiritualgrowth