Spiritual formation writer and teacher Anna Rachel Bolch (affectionately called ARB) lets thoughtfulness and curiosity lead the way toward Christlikeness. Through everyday spiritual formation, you’ll discover more freedom and joy in your life with God. For Your Formation offers a mix of expert interviews and instructive educational videos designed to help you learn and become like Jesus. In her signature friendly and approachable style, Anna will help you keep life with God simple, never shallow.
Ep 7: Rebelling against hustle culture by learning to slow down | with Jodi H. Grubbs
Anna is joined by Jodi H. Grubbs to talk about what it means to live slowly. In this episode, they cover how slowing down is a rebellion against hustle culture, how our tendencies toward people-pleasing get in the way of living slowly, and simple practices you can do right now, no matter your life stage or season.
Jodi H. Grubbs is an author and a former island girl who lives outside of Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband and teen daughter. As a slow-living guide, she is passionate about coming alongside the woman who longs for an exhale from the hustle and weariness of her life. Jodi is the host of Our Island in the City Podcast, where she converses with guests about slowing down, faith, ordinary soul care, and deep community. Jodi’s first non-fiction book, Live Slowly: A Gentle Invitation to Exhale, releases in April 2024 with IVPress.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Jodi’s podcast, Our Island in the City (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-island-in-the-city-podcast/id1494249906)
Jodi’s book, Live Slowly: An Invitation to Exhale (https://www.ivpress.com/live-slowly)
Jodi’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jodi.grubbs/)
Jodi’s Newsletter (https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60b56897c544b48232cb36e9)
Jess Connolly’s post on people-pleasing (https://www.instagram.com/p/Cyma3DRsuct/)
LINKS AND RESOURCES
Become a Formation Patron (http://patreon.com/FormationPatrons) to receive exclusive bonus content every week
Sign up for free weekly spiritual formation emails (https://www.annarachelbolch.com/emails)
Find Anna on Instagram @annarachelbolch (https://www.instagram.com/annarachelbolch/)
*Cover art and branding by The Inspired Foundry (https://annarbolch--theinspiredfoundry.thrivecart.com/your-tiny-brand-and-logos/)
*Recorded with Riverside (https://www.riverside.fm/?via=anna-bolch)
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13 Dec 2023
Ep 6: How to practice belonging with God and with others | with Sarah E. Westfall
Sarah E. Westfall joins Anna to discuss belonging—how we show up as our full selves as well as how we can expand our view of God and others. We believe that belonging is a posture we can practice, and Sarah provides practical examples of how we can bring this value into our everyday lives.
Sarah is a full-time writer, speaker, and podcast host whose work explores faith, belonging, and the complexity of being a person. Her previous work includes serving as a director of community for creative spaces as well as a student development professional on college campuses. In June 2024, Sarah's first book about reimagining belonging will be published through InterVarsity Press. For more details, you can follow Sarah's writing at Human Together on Substack. Sarah lives in Indiana with her husband, Ben, and four sons.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Sarah’s Substack essays, Human Together (https://sarahewestfall.substack.com/)
Sarah’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sarah_westfall/)
Sarah’s website (https://www.sarahewestfall.com/)
*The Gift of Being Yourself by David Benner (https://bookshop.org/a/5962/9780830846122)
LINKS AND RESOURCES
Become a Formation Patron (http://patreon.com/FormationPatrons) to receive exclusive bonus content every week
Sign up for free weekly spiritual formation emails (https://www.annarachelbolch.com/emails)
Find Anna on Instagram @annarachelbolch (https://www.instagram.com/annarachelbolch/)
*Cover art and branding by The Inspired Foundry (https://annarbolch--theinspiredfoundry.thrivecart.com/your-tiny-brand-and-logos/)
*Recorded with Riverside (https://www.riverside.fm/?via=anna-bolch)
*denotes affiliate link
9 Nov 2023
Ep 5: What is the Christian church (liturgical) calendar?
The Christian church calendar (or liturgical calendar, as it’s sometimes called) has been followed for centuries. In this episode, Anna walks listeners through a brief introduction to this resource and discusses how it affects her own spiritual formation.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Little Way Chapel Church Calendar on Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleWayChapel)
Little Way Chapel on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/littlewaychapel/)
Liturgical Year Resources from Sacred Ordinary Days (https://sacredordinarydays.com/pages/liturgical-year)
Minno - Church History for Kids (https://www.gominno.com/parents/church-history-for-kids-what-is-the-church-calendar/)
LINKS AND RESOURCES
Become a Formation Patron (http://patreon.com/FormationPatrons) to receive exclusive bonus content every week
Sign up for free weekly spiritual formation emails (https://www.annarachelbolch.com/emails)
Find Anna on Instagram @annarachelbolch (https://www.instagram.com/annarachelbolch/)
*Cover art and branding by The Inspired Foundry (https://annarbolch--theinspiredfoundry.thrivecart.com/your-tiny-brand-and-logos/)
*Recorded with Riverside (https://www.riverside.fm/?via=anna-bolch)
*denotes affiliate link
26 Oct 2023
Ep 4: Practicing compassion by sitting with others in suffering | with Brandy Wallner
Compassion literally means to “suffer with.” Fun, right? As Christ-followers, we know that demonstrating compassion is vital to our life of faith, but how do we practice it in everyday life? In this episode, Anna is joined by Brandy Wallner to discuss how to practice compassion, why compassion is necessary to unity, and some common obstacles that get in the way–like judgment and scarcity.
Brandy is a lifelong creative writer who currently writes on the topic of compassion and is on a mission to love better. She serves on the Board of Directors for The Restoration Project and spends her days project managing memoirs and supporting writers as they bring memoirs for "the average Joe" to life. She resides in southern California on a hill overlooking the Port of Los Angeles with her husband and her fur-baby, Nala.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Read Brandy’s words on Substack (https://substack.com/@brandywallner)
Follow Brandy on Instagram (http://instagram.com/brandywallner)
The Restoration Project (https://therestorationproject.org/)
LINKS AND RESOURCES
Become a Formation Patron (http://patreon.com/FormationPatrons) to receive exclusive bonus content every week
Sign up for free weekly spiritual formation emails (https://www.annarachelbolch.com/emails)
Find me on Instagram @annarachelbolch (https://www.instagram.com/annarachelbolch/)
*Cover art and branding by The Inspired Foundry (https://annarbolch--theinspiredfoundry.thrivecart.com/your-tiny-brand-and-logos/)
*Recorded with Riverside (https://www.riverside.fm/?via=anna-bolch)
*denotes affiliate link
12 Oct 2023
Ep 3: What are Christian spiritual practices? An Introduction
When it comes to having a deeper relationship with God, Christian spiritual practices can be an invaluable resource. In this episode of For Your Formation, we’ll discuss questions such as “What are Christian spiritual practices?” “How do spiritual practices make a difference in our relationship with God?” and “What are some common spiritual practices?” Whether you’re new to spiritual practices or consider yourself a pro, join Anna Rachel Bolch as she helps you reflect on how the habits of your life are transforming you.
*denotes affiliate link
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
*Celebration of Discipline (https://bookshop.org/a/5962/9780062803887) by Richard Foster
*The Good and Beautiful God (https://bookshop.org/a/5962/9780830835317) by James Bryan Smith
Spiritual Practices for the Everyday (https://www.annarachelbolch.com/offerings/p/spiritualpracticesfortheeveryday): A Simple Guide to Enrich Your Life with God
LINKS AND RESOURCES
Become a Formation Patron (http://patreon.com/FormationPatrons) to receive exclusive bonus content every week and support the work of ARB
Sign up for free weekly spiritual formation emails (https://www.annarachelbolch.com/emails)
Find me on Instagram @annarachelbolch (https://www.instagram.com/annarachelbolch/)
*Cover art and branding by The Inspired Foundry (https://annarbolch--theinspiredfoundry.thrivecart.com/your-tiny-brand-and-logos/)
*Recorded with Riverside (https://www.riverside.fm/?via=anna-bolch)
28 Sept 2023
Ep 2: How work and career influence our spiritual formation | with Carla H. Hayden
Spiritual formation encompasses all of our life with God, including our work. How does our career or job influence the way we are spiritually formed? How does our life with God impact our work? My dear friend, Carla H. Hayden, is passionate about empowering women to lead from their lane. In this episode, Carla uses her mentoring heart to teach us how to become faithful leaders no matter our workplace.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Carla on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/coffee_with_carla/)
Carla on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlahayden/)
Quarterly Retreat Planning Guide (https://www.coffeewithcarla.com/retreat)
LINKS AND RESOURCES
Become a Formation Patron (http://patreon.com/FormationPatrons) to receive exclusive bonus content every week and support the work of ARB
Sign up for free weekly spiritual formation emails (https://www.annarachelbolch.com/emails)
Find me on Instagram @annarachelbolch (https://www.instagram.com/annarachelbolch/)
Download the transcript [link to webpage]
*Cover art and branding by The Inspired Foundry (https://annarbolch--theinspiredfoundry.thrivecart.com/your-tiny-brand-and-logos/)
*Recorded with Riverside (https://www.riverside.fm/?via=anna-bolch)
*denotes affiliate link
28 Sept 2023
Ep 1: What is Christian spiritual formation?
You may have heard the term “spiritual formation” in Christian circles lately, but what is it? If you’re like me, you didn’t grow up in a tradition that referenced “spiritual formation” at all. Consider this episode a short primer as well as the foundation for all upcoming episodes. We’ll look at a few definitions from the experts, then craft our own super simple description. We’ll also touch on the difference between spiritual formation and discipleship. If you’re searching for an easy-to-understand, approachable introduction to spiritual formation, this episode is for you.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
*The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard (https://bookshop.org/a/5962/9780060693329)
*Hearing God by Dallas Willard (https://bookshop.org/a/5962/9780830848515)
*Christian Spiritual Formation by Dr. Diane J. Chandler (https://bookshop.org/a/5962/9780830840427)
Renovare Institue (https://renovare.org/)
LINKS AND RESOURCES
Become a Formation Patron (http://patreon.com/FormationPatrons) to support the work of ARB and receive exclusive bonus content every week
Sign up for free weekly spiritual formation emails (https://www.annarachelbolch.com/emails)
Find me on Instagram @annarachelbolch (https://www.instagram.com/annarachelbolch/)
*Cover art and branding by The Inspired Foundry (https://annarbolch--theinspiredfoundry.thrivecart.com/your-tiny-brand-and-logos/)
*Recorded with Riverside (https://www.riverside.fm/?via=anna-bolch)
*denotes affiliate link
23 Sept 2023
Trailer: Welcome to For Your Formation
Spiritual formation writer and teacher Anna Rachel Bolch (affectionately called ARB) lets thoughtfulness and curiosity lead the way toward Christlikeness. Through everyday spiritual formation, you’ll discover more freedom and joy in your life with God. For Your Formation offers a mix of expert interviews and instructive educational videos designed to help you learn and become like Jesus. In her signature friendly and approachable style, Anna will help you keep life with God simple, never shallow.
LINKS AND RESOURCES
Become a Formation Patron (http://patreon.com/FormationPatrons) to receive exclusive bonus content every week and support the work of ARB
Sign up for free weekly spiritual formation emails (https://www.annarachelbolch.com/emails)
Find me on Instagram @annarachelbolch (https://www.instagram.com/annarachelbolch/)
Download the transcript [link to webpage]
*Cover art and branding by The Inspired Foundry (https://annarbolch--theinspiredfoundry.thrivecart.com/your-tiny-brand-and-logos/)
*Recorded with Riverside (https://www.riverside.fm/?via=anna-bolch)
*denotes affiliate link
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