In this bonus episode, David Achata challenges us to look at the Holiday Season as a time to remember "The Religion of Jesus" vs. "The Religion about Jesus." Who were the Magi that came from a distance of 1600 miles? Why did they go to Jerusalem? What do their beliefs about power, wisdom and authority show us for our time today in 2025?  As we finish 2025 and look ahead to 2026 - here's a Christmas message to contemplate.  If you'd like to read the substack blog that comes with this podcast, go click here. To support this podcast you can do so at http://davidachata.substack.com/  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the How People Grow Podcast. 

In our season finale, David Achata sits down with legendary author Parker Palmer to explore what it means to live a rooted life. Discover the wisdom of prioritizing faithfulness to your true values over the pressure of external effectiveness, and how integrity deepens as we grow old. In this episode, Parker Palmer quotes a poem by William Stafford.  A Ritual to Read to Each Other If you don't know the kind of person I am and I don't know the kind of person you are a pattern that others made may prevail in the world and following the wrong god home we may miss our star.   For there is many a small betrayal in the mind, a shrug that lets the fragile sequence break sending with shouts the horrible errors of childhood storming out to play through the broken dike.   And as elephants parade holding each elephant's tail, but if one wanders the circus won't find the park, I call it cruel and maybe the root of all cruelty to know what occurs but not recognize the fact.   And so I appeal to a voice, to something shadowy, a remote important region in all who talk: though we could fool each other, we should consider— lest the parade of our mutual life get lost in the dark.   For it is important that awake people be awake, or a breaking line may discourage them back to sleep; the signals we give — yes or no, or maybe — should be clear: the darkness around us is deep.   To read Parker's recent writing visit: https://parkerjpalmer.substack.com/ To learn more about the Center for Courage and Renewal: https://couragerenewal.org/   To support this podcast visit https//davidachata.substack.com/ and to learn more about David Achata's work visit https://achatacoaching.com    If this interview was helpful to you, please leave us a postive review.   

Jeff Vanderstelt is the Executive Director of http://saturatetheworld.com/ an organization committed to equipping the church to live out of its identity in every space and place. He also helped found the Soma Family of Churches and lives near Seattle, Washington with his wife Jayne, and their family.  In this interview, Jeff shares his story of learning to be himself. After many years of personal work, Jeff reflects on his own life, changes, and his learning to be present to himself, to God and others.  To support this podcast see http://davidachata.substack.com/ AND - don't forget to leave us a review.  To connect with Jeff, listen for his email in the podcast. 

Tim Ross is a Cherokee teacher, retired pastor, missionary and current seminary teacher. In this episode Tim shares with us native ways of praying, as well as the concept of becoming a "Sticker" - meaning, someone who stays and invests in a community. Tim's teaching work can be found at NAIITS, an an indigenous seminary. To learn more about Tim and his work, check out https://naiits.com/ If this podcast was helpful to you, please leave us a review by clicking here, scrolling to the bottom and leaving a rating and a note.  To join an online conversation about this and other podcasts from this show support us at davidachata.substack.com - all the articles are free. For $8 monthly you can join the conversation. 

Lisa Sharon Harper is an author, theologan, teacher, and consultant. She is the founder of https://freedomroad.us/ and gives her life to helping others learn to do justice in just ways.  This is Lisa's second appearance on this podcast. To listen to her first interview, go back to Season 2 and check out our season finale.  In this episode, Lisa shares about a recent trip to Brazil to work with an influental church there, and talks with us about the importance of silence when cultivating a rooted life.  Join Lisa's Substack page with nearly 10k others to track reguarly with her work: https://substack.com/@lisasharonharper To support this podcast go on over to http://davidachata.substack.com/

Dr. Donna Burske serves as a Hospital Chaplain Manager in Orlando, Florida. She is a mother, teacher, contemplative, and a cancer survivor. In this episode Donna shares what it was like growing up adopted and eventually finding her biological family.  She shares what it means to her to live a rooted life in this thought-provoking episode. To contact donna email her at dburske@gmail.com  To support this podcast go to http://davidachata.substack.com/ 

Joe Steinke is a Spiritual Director, a former pastor, lifelong musician and co-founder of 24/7 Prayer USA. In this interview he shares what it was like to grow up in community in the midst of the Jesus Movement of the 1970's. He also shares practices people can engage in to find their rooting. Joe shares what it means to be a mystic and encourages us to find a "greater grace from a deeper well."  To find out more about Joe Steinke and connect with his work visit http://www.souloftheshepherd.org/  To support this podcast go to davidachata.substack.com 

Ron Pickell is a retired pastor and chaplain. His most recent position was serving on the University Campus of UC Berkeley, California for 25 years.  In this episode Ron talks with us about how being rooted means knowing what you’re about, where you’re going, and what’s most important. For Ron, that means understanding the presence and power of God among us right now. Ron shares his conversion story, his near death experience of a years ago and how that changed him. As a special bonus, we’ve included a song of Ron’s from many years back called “The Wedding.” Stay till the end.  To get into contact with Ron, check out his instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/rpig4wordoncampus/ To support his podcast go to davidachata.substack.com 

What does it mean to be a rooted person in a world that leaves so many of us feeling lost? To be rooted is to be connected — to God, to others, and to the larger story we’re part of. This season, David Achata, author, leadership consultant, coach, and former pastor, takes listeners on a journey of listening, learning, and connecting with mentors and community. In this episode, he draws from the wisdom of Parker Palmer, Richard Rohr, and John O’Donohue, as well as Scripture and Indigenous traditions. David explores how rootedness can transform pain, restore connection, and reveal a better way to live. Podcast music provided by Aaron Roche. Support this podcast at davidachata.substack.com 

Andrew Holley was once a pastor and church planter. But then his house burned down. After picking up the pieces, he and his wife tried to keep going the way they always had, but something had changed.  Some time later, at the urging of his friends, he entered a singer/songwriter contest. From there, he kept playing. Today, Andrew has embraced the music life and writes music that's full of soul, blues, and good ole' rock n' roll.  He spoke on the How People Grow Podcast about this transition - listen and enjoy his wisdom about how important relationships are, life in community, and doing what you love.  Hear his latest EP at https://onerpm.link/166172119066  Find out more about Andrew at https://www.andrewholleymusic.com/  To support the podcast go to https://substack.com/@davidachata 

Tommy Rutledge began his career as an Engineer, but later in life felt the call to serve in pastoral work as a Church Planter. Tommy shares how it changed him and helped birth the most unusual kind of work. To learn more about Tommy check out http://somaasheville.com/ and https://www.mountcarmelgoats.com/  To support this podcast go to http://davidachata.substack.com/  To join the Leadership renewal collective go to http://achatacoaching.com/ and click "coaching cohorts." 

Daniel Kasambira is the CEO of the United Way in Madison County, Alabama. After a successful career in non-profit work Daniel moved to the for-profit sector. But after being laid off, he faced the question: how do I navigate this season of unknowns? Finding himself delivering pizzas, he got an opportunity that changed everything. Today he shares his story as a way to encourage people to not give up and to remember those who helped you along the way.  To learn more about Daniel see https://uwmadisoncounty.org/leadership/ To learn about the Leadership Renewal Collective go to https://achatacoaching.com/coaching-cohorts/ To support this podcast visit http://davidachata.substack.com/ 

Ashi Alison is a Yoga and Breathwork teacher currently living near Chattanooga, Tennessee. In this special interview, she talks with us from a courtyard in Ireland. Ashi describes why she left a successful career at the North Face, selling all her possessions, and moving to a shack in Costa Rica for 10 years.  Ashi walks us through what she learned during a season by the Ocean and encourages us to "embrace the fertile void" when in a transition season.  To support this podcast go go http://davidachata.substack.com/  To learn more about David's work go to http://achatacoaching.com/ 

Brooke Lark is the founder of Lark & Co. She is the world's most downloaded food photographer and one of the world's most interesting women.  After leaving the Mormon faith, she embarked on a journey she could never have predicted. To listen to her first interview on this show, click here.  What happens after you leave your faith and your marriage? For Brooke, a call with a U.S. Senator changed everything and led her into the world of plant medicine. In this episode she shares that when you embark on a healing journey, you heal.  To connect with Brooke go to http://brookelark.com/  To support this podcast go go http://davidachata.substack.com/  To learn more about David's work go to http://achatacoaching.com/ 

Tim Ross is a lifelong pastor, missionary and teacher. He's also a Native Cherokee related to Chief John Ross. In this episode Tim shares his story, his life with the Maasai People for ten years and most recently, his work with NAIITS, the North American Indigenous Institute for Theological Studies.  Tim walks us through what it means to step into your ancestry and take the simple steps the Creator reveals. He invites us to pray, "show me, teach me, I'm open."  Learn more about NAIITS at https://naiits.com/ Support this podcast at http://substack.com/@davidachata  Learn more about David's work at http://achatacoaching.com 

Transitions are marked by endings, then a murky middle zone, and then a new beginning. In this episode David Achata discusses why we're focusing on transtions for season 4.  To learn about David's work see http://achatacoaching.com To support this podcast go to the new Substack page at: https://substack.com/@davidachata 

Join us as Amy Achata recounts her deeply personal story of overcoming chronic illness and migraines. Amy shares how she discovered the surprising reason for a lifetime of pain lay hidden in her own story. From there, she was able to explore the untapped intelligence of her body. Amy delves into the specific embodiment practices that enabled her to finally understand and respond to her body's needs, resulting in remarkable transformation and healing. She shares invaluable lessons learned on her path and provides actionable tips for listeners seeking to alleviate chronic pain or illness by tuning into their body's inherent wisdom. Find out more about Amy at http://scoutcounseling.com/ To support this podcast go to http://patreon.com/howpeoplegrow/ Sign up for the Leadership Renewal Collective at http://achatacoaching.com/ and click the "coaching cohorts" button.

Ever wonder where those "gut feelings" really come from? In this episode, David shares a personal story about stalking a deer that led him to a surprising understanding of the gut's influence on what we think. He and Dr. Tyler McCurry, D.O., unpack the fascinating gut-brain connection and how optimizing your gut health can unlock clearer emotional and intuitive guidance. Plus, get actionable advice on strengthening your intuition through practices like mindfulness and spending time in nature, and explore how faith can be a powerful ally in trusting your inner voice. Tune in to tap into your true intuitive power! To support this podcast check out http://howpeoplegrow.patreon.com/ Learn more about David's corporate work at http://achatacoaching.com/

Discover the powerful connection between your mind, body, and spirit with us. David shares his personal journey of overcoming a decade of chest pain by understanding the link between his emotions, breathing, and physical health. Dr. McCurry explores how spiritual practices like prayer and meditation can support your overall wellness and revisits the idea of your body as a sacred temple deserving of care. Learn to live with intention, aligning your actions with what truly matters. Join David Achata & Dr. Tyler McCurry, D.O., for insights on a holistic path to a healthier, more fulfilling life. Support this podcast at http://patreon.com/howpeoplegrow/ Join the Leadership Renewal Collective at http://achatacoaching.com/  

Join David Achata and Dr. Tyler McCurry as they discuss the vital role movement plays in both our physical and emotional well-being. Explore the benefits of mindful practices to connect with your body and release tension. Dr. McCurry explains how regular exercise helps calm the nervous system and reduce stress. Discover the surprising connection between movement and spiritual practices like prayer and meditation. Plus, get practical ideas for easily incorporating more movement into your daily life, no matter your current fitness level. To support this podcast go check out http://patreon.com/howpeoplegrow/ To join the Leadership Renewal Collective go to http://achatacoaching.com/ and click "coaching cohorts"