“Some days I am not sure if my faith is riddled with doubt, or whether, graciously, my doubt is riddled with faith. And yet I continue to live in a world the way a religious person lives in the world; I keep living in a world that I know to be enchanted, and not left alone. I doubt; I am uncertain; I am restless, prone to wander. And yet glimmers of holy keep interrupting my gaze.” -Lauren Winner, StillLet’s begin with a few what-ifs:What if this journey toward Jesus came with even more freedom than you can imagine?What if the American version of Evangelical Christianity isn’t 100% right 100% of the time?What if God is even better, more loving, more inclusive, more patient, and more present than we ever imagined?What if?In The God-Shaped Brain by Dr. Thomas Jennings, he says that a healthy view of a loving God can literally transform our brains. Side note: did you know that just meditating on a God of love for 12 minutes a day can actually rewire your brain? Sure, it’s a slow, patient process, but it’s one worth starting as soon as possible.So where do you begin? Today, I want to give you what I believe are the first three steps in healing your image of God.Listen to this free podcast, and pre-order my new book, Hiding in the Pews, by clicking here.*”Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” performed by the ever-magical Stella Hess. This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at iamsteveaustin.substack.com/subscribe

Catching Your Breath

Healing Your Image of God

In this special episode of the #CatchingYourBreath Podcast, Steve Austin talks with one of his best friends, Joshua M. Casey, author of the new book, Tracking Desire. The guys talk about favorite and least favorite books, the writing process, and losing religion without losing your soul. Listen to this 30-minute episode today! And order Tracking Desire on Amazon by clicking here. This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at iamsteveaustin.substack.com/subscribe

Losing Religion without Losing Your Soul (Joshua Casey)

Welcome back to Catching You Breath: The Podcast, with Steve Austin. If you listen to this episode, you'll learn 10 ways to deal with criticism, plus Steve will walk you through an affirmation to let go of the fear of disappointing others. Show notes: Steve's courses and coachingSteve's new #BreatheWithMePodcastOrder Catching Your BreathDownload Steve's free self-care journalMusic: "Weak Sometimes" by Devin Balram This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at iamsteveaustin.substack.com/subscribe

Critics and Criticism: How to Deal

The holiday season can be stressful for lots of folks. If you are looking for a way to slow down, let go of worry over your future, and regrets about your past, this is the guided meditation for you. Stay connected at catchingyourbreath.com. This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at iamsteveaustin.substack.com/subscribe

Guided Meditation: Leting Go of Worry and Regret

Maintaining your mental health is hard enough. Add a seemingly never-ending global pandemic to the mix, and life can feel particularly heavy.In this episode, Steve Austin will guide you through:Letting go.Holding on.Looking up.Download Steve Austin's free self-care journal by clicking right here. This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at iamsteveaustin.substack.com/subscribe

3 Powerful Ways to Maintain Your Mental Health in a Pandemic

Today, I have the privilege of speaking to you on the topic of Hope. Hope - but what the heck does that even mean?  Hope is an elusive concept: like trying to hold water in your hands or get Jello to sit still. Just when you think you’ve got it, the mystery of hope slips right through your fingers.  But I’ve spent the past year (since I was with you last) researching hope, and I’m so excited to share a bit of what I’ve learned with you today. Show notes:You can read more David’s work and pre-order his new book of poetry, The Wrestle, at his website, DavidTensen.com Making Hope Happen: Create the Future You Want for Yourself. Catching Your Breath: The Sacred Journey from Chaos to Calm. https://amzn.to/3k9Z9KhDownload Steve's free self-care journal here - https://catchingyourbreath.com/free-self-care-journal/ Reflection questions: What would happen if we learned to live in the tension of both sides of Jesus’s statement, understanding that earthly life is suffering, but eternal life is joy?What is one way you can be kind to yourself as you consider starting this journey toward embracing and enduring suffering, in order to find hope and healing?What is one thing in your life—a pet, a skill, a person, a memory—that brings you moments of joy in your pain? Can you hold it in your mind, letting yourself feel the goodness of it like a cat basking in the sun?What is one vulnerable thing you can share with one safe person today? Get gut-level honest about what you need right now, and then don’t be afraid to share that information with your doctors and others in your inner circle. This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at iamsteveaustin.substack.com/subscribe

The Pathway to Genuine Hope

Welcome to Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, episode number 64. I’m your host, Steve Austin, and I’m so glad you’re here today. If you listen to this episode in its entirety, you’ll learn how to determine if your life is well-balanced, plus I’ll teach you 25 practical ways to find balance. And at the end of today’s episode, I’ll lead you in a guided breath prayer: a simple way to center yourself, even on the most chaotic of days. Before we dive into that, I want to say thanks for listening. There are a gazillion life coaches you could be listening to, but you’ve chosen to hang out with me for the next half hour, and that means a lot to me. If you haven’t left an iTunes review, would you take a couple of minutes to do that now? And please don’t forget about my book, Catching Your Breath. You can snag a copy today on Amazon, and join me on the sacred journey from chaos to calm.A quick personal update: I’ve nearly completed my second manuscript of the year, Slow Miracles: 99 Doses of Hope and Healing, which will release next Fall with Broadleaf Books. As a result, I’ll be returning to the podcast more often. And I’d love to know what topics would be helpful to you these days. Also - what guests would you like to hear from on this show? Do you have a favorite author, teacher, pastor, or coach who would be a perfect fit for my podcast? Shoot me a quick email at steve@iamsteveaustin.com and I’ll get to work creating new content!In today's episode:Transcript of today's episode.Become a VIP Member This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at iamsteveaustin.substack.com/subscribe

How to Determine if Your Life is Well-Balanced

This bonus episode is from a sermon I delivered at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham on Sunday, August 2nd. In it, I share my story, plus several ways your church can become a place of healing, rather than a place of shame, for those with mental illness. Connect with me via my website at catchingyourbreath.com and support the show at patreon.com/iamsteveaustin. This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at iamsteveaustin.substack.com/subscribe

Is your church a place of healing or shame?

Welcome to Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, Episode 63. Today we’re discussing the power of non-judgmental presence. How can co-suffering with hurting people change everything? These notes are the bits and pieces that didn’t make it into my upcoming book with Fortress Press, but because I’m so passionate about this topic, I just couldn’t scrap them. So, I’m sharing them with you today.Show notes:Support the show at Patreon.com/iamsteveaustinJoin the Catching Your Breath Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/catchingyourbreathSign up for my "Emotional Health 101" course at EmotionalHealthNow.comFollow Ann Ahrens' blog annahrens.wordpress.comRead my latest blog on The Mighty: The Church Needs to Learn How to Co-Suffer with Hurting PeopleMusic at the end of this episode - "Hold On, Honey" by my dear friend, Devin Balram. https://listen.lt/DevinBalramHoldOnHoney This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at iamsteveaustin.substack.com/subscribe

The Power of Non-Judgmental Presence

Welcome back to Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, with host, Steve Austin. This is episode 62. The full title is, "It's The End of the World As We Know It: How to Find Hope, Healing, and Inner Peace Amid Racial Tensions, A Global Pandemic, and a Political Dumpster Fire." (No, really.) This episode includes 3 myths about hope, plus a guided meditation to help you self-soothe when life is difficult. Connect with Steve at catchingyourbreath.com today. This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at iamsteveaustin.substack.com/subscribe

The End of the World As We Know It

Welcome back to Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, with Steve Austin.If you listen to this episode in its entirety, you will discover 14 simple ways to master your emotions and rebuild a foundation of emotional health.And if you're ready to learn even more, sign up for Steve's new video course, "Emotional Health 101: 30 Days of Wellbeing," by going to EmotionalHealthNow.com. Use discount code SAVE75 by Wednesday night, May 20th, to save $75 off the registration fee.Follow Steve's work at catchingyourbreath.com today.  This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at iamsteveaustin.substack.com/subscribe

14 Ways to Master Your Emotions

Welcome to Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, with Steve Austin.If you listen to this episode in its entirety, you'll learn:how to challenge your toxic thoughtsdiscover an exercise on drawing out your gremlin (or inner critic)and learn to work WITH your inner critic to find healingTo sign up for my brand-new video course, "Emotional Health 101: 30 Days of Wellbeing," just go to iamsteveaustin.podia.com today.If this episode helped you, would you please go to iTunes and leave a 5-star rating and review?If you'd like to take it a step further, you can support the show (and my family) by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/iamsteveaustin.And finally, PLEASE join us on Facebook! Facebook.com/groups/catchingyourbreathThanks for listening. This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at iamsteveaustin.substack.com/subscribe

How to Heal Your Toxic Thoughts

Welcome back to Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, with Steve Austin.In her book, From Longing to Belonging, Shelly Christensen says, “The Spirit of Belonging is based on relationships and conversations when participants share what is important to them.”Well, how can you share what’s important to you, if you don’t know what’s important to you?And how can you share what’s important with you, if shame is telling you to shut up, that your goals, dreams, and wounds don’t matter?If you listen to this episode in its entirety, you will discover:7 Ways to Embrace Your Individuality6 Benefits of Embracing Your Quirky Side8 Steps to Embracing Your Quirky SideDo You Long to Unclutter Your Soul?​Is your soul cluttered and your image of God unclear? Are you desperate to rebuild your self-worth?It can be tough, trying to reconcile our wounds, hopes, and what we believe about God. I know how scary that can feel.And so, to help you​ start reconciling your mental and spiritual health, I'm offering a personal, one-on-one Soul Care Strategy Session with me. Click here to sign up now. And please leave an iTunes rating and review by clicking here. This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at iamsteveaustin.substack.com/subscribe

How to Be at Home with Yourself

Welcome back to Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, with Steve Austin. If you listen to this episode in its entirety, you will:Learn the difference between solitude and loneliness.Discover why Jesus understands your loneliness.Understand How Quiet Moments Allow You to Connect with Your Soul.And finally, I’ll walk you through a coaching exercise on living your core values.Schedule a Soul Care Strategy Session with Steve Austin today for 50% off, just $47! Here's the link.And PLEASE leave a review on iTunes. Tell people what you like about the show and why they should listen. Thanks! This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at iamsteveaustin.substack.com/subscribe

The Difference Between Solitude and Loneliness

In this bonus episode, Steve Austin guides you through an 8-minute meditation on worry. Follow Steve online at catchingyourbreath.com This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at iamsteveaustin.substack.com/subscribe

Guided Meditation: The Raging River

Overwhelmed? Join Steve Austin on the sacred journey from chaos to calm. Each 30-minute episode will focus on practical ways to catch your breath. Self-help topics include: self-compassion, shame, stress management, and more.

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Catching Your Breath

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