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  Why “home” is a somatic experience, not just a locationPersona vs personhood — and why the difference mattersThe danger of self-awareness without relationshipWhy stewardship is a better metaphor than ownershipHow shame becomes the most familiar somatic stateWhy healing must be titrated, not rushedThe cost of progress-driven spirituality and productivity cultureReintegrating younger selves instead of rejecting themVisibility, integrity, and the courage to expand again—carefully      Links For Justin:Read Justin's Substack Order In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of Poems Order Sacred Strides JustinMcRoberts.com Support this podcast NEW Single - Let Go NEW Music - Sliver of Hope NEW Music - The Dood and The Bird The Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble

This week, Justin sits down with bestselling author Laura McKowen for an honest, layered conversation about sobriety, identity, creative calling, and the slow, often painful work of becoming whole.   Together they explore: • Why “place” matters for emotional and spiritual grounding • The strange internal pull that guides creative people long before they have language for it • How early snippets of desire can act as breadcrumbs into a future self • The difference between writing for yourself and writing for publication • Why AA saved Laura’s life—and where its framing can unintentionally keep people small • How relapse, repeated “Day Ones,” and imperfect recovery are part of the human journey • The relationship between money, creativity, and integrity • Why the long work of sobriety is ultimately a long work of identity The episode closes with a reading from In the Low and a reflection on why wholeness—not speed, not perfection—is the actual goal. Laura's Website - https://www.lauramckowen.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/laura_mckowen Links For Justin:Read Justin's Substack Order In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of Poems Order Sacred Strides JustinMcRoberts.com Support this podcast NEW Single - Let Go NEW Music - Sliver of Hope NEW Music - The Dood and The Bird The Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble

• Why “waiting” feels harder now than it did a decade ago • What Arcade Fire’s “We Used to Wait” reveals about our relationship to speed • The spiritual value of slowness—especially during Advent • How desire clarifies identity rather than feeding consumption • A practical invitation: choose something you want, pause before getting it, and explore the desire beneath the desire • Reading from In the Low on longing, disappointment, and hope Links For Justin:Read Justin's Substack Order In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of Poems Order Sacred Strides JustinMcRoberts.com Support this podcast NEW Single - Let Go NEW Music - Sliver of Hope NEW Music - The Dood and The Bird The Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble

The false promise of “instant clarity” and “quick fixes.” Why bypassing struggle stunts real growth. How to use AI and psilocybin responsibly—without losing your humanity. The value of failure, pain, and disillusionment. Reflections from In the Low by Justin McRoberts & Scott Erickson on living fully in difficult seasons.   Links For Justin:Read Justin's Substack Order In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of Poems Order Sacred Strides JustinMcRoberts.com Support this podcast NEW Single - Let Go NEW Music - Sliver of Hope NEW Music - The Dood and The Bird The Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble

Encouraging imagination in children: why participation beats restriction.Work transitions: how to discern whether to push harder where you are or look for something new.Why Justin doesn’t comment on celebrity-centered current events, and what’s at stake when we confuse spectacle with real importance.Closing with a prayer from In the Low (October 2025 release with Scott Erickson).  Links For Justin:Read Justin's Substack Order In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of Poems Order Sacred Strides JustinMcRoberts.com Support this podcast NEW Single - Let Go NEW Music - Sliver of Hope NEW Music - The Dood and The Bird The Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble

Justin shares gratitude for support after a recent car accident. Listener questions addressed: - How to reconnect during seasons of rejection and disconnection.  - Managing the overwhelm of life’s constant demands.  - Practicing transparency without sharing every detail. Insights from the Ignatian spiritual tradition on consolation and desolation. The importance of paying attention to your own needs and desires. Learning to say no to external demands and focus on what matters most. Setting healthy boundaries in relationships and public life. Actionable advice: Spend time with a coach or spiritual director, learn to disappoint unhealthy systems, and discern appropriate levels of transparency. Links For Justin:Read Justin's Substack Order In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of Poems Order Sacred Strides JustinMcRoberts.com Support this podcast NEW Single - Let Go NEW Music - Sliver of Hope NEW Music - The Dood and The Bird The Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble

Justin shares personal stories about his kids starting a new school year and the emotions that come with it. The myth of “creative block” and what it’s really about. How the Sabbath helps process endings and prepare for new seasons. Distinguishing between wisdom and fear when making choices. Why calling is more about who you’re becoming than choosing perfectly. Closing with an excerpt from Justin’s upcoming book with Scott Erickson. Links For Justin:Read Justin's Substack Order In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of Poems Order Sacred Strides JustinMcRoberts.com Support this podcast NEW Single - Let Go NEW Music - Sliver of Hope NEW Music - The Dood and The Bird The Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble

Main Question: How to explain your need for a day of silence to family and friends Resistance: Often comes from good people and deserves thoughtful communication Making a Plan: Plans stick; impulses fade Calendar as a Tool: Helps visualize trade-offs and negotiate responsibly Life Built by Consent: Recognizing past choices and agreements as part of transformation Coaching and Investment: Why hiring a coach signals seriousness about change Invitation to Others: Change can become a witness to more life for everyone Links For Justin:Read Justin's Substack Order In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of Poems Order Sacred Strides JustinMcRoberts.com Support this podcast NEW Single - Let Go NEW Music - Sliver of Hope NEW Music - The Dood and The Bird The Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble

Episode Notes:Authenticity in Art: You're a real artist if you’re doing the work—regardless of metrics or recognition. Internal Metrics for Growth: Choose your own measures of progress and satisfaction. Emotional Expression: Not every feeling needs to be shared online. Say less. Process more. Derek Sivers Insight: Sometimes saying your plans out loud gives you the reward without doing the work. New Book Preview: Reading from In the Low, a prayer book for seasons of depression (releasing Oct 7, 2025). Links For Justin:Read Justin's Substack Order In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of Poems Order Sacred Strides JustinMcRoberts.com Support this podcast NEW Single - Let Go NEW Music - Sliver of Hope NEW Music - The Dood and The Bird The Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble

Handling Change: Embracing unpredictability through the lens of the welcoming prayer Prayer and Action: Why a true prayer life leads to action, and how activism should drive us back to prayer Identity and Memory: The myth of hyper-individuality and why our identity is held collectively—by others and by God Resources Recommended: Contemplation in a World of Action by Thomas Merton The Active Life by Parker Palmer Closing Poem: A meditation on friendship as one of life’s most valuable treasures Links For Justin:Read Justin's Substack Order In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of Poems Order Sacred Strides JustinMcRoberts.com Support this podcast NEW Single - Let Go NEW Music - Sliver of Hope NEW Music - The Dood and The Bird The Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble

Episode Notes:Legalism vs. Values: Legalism is a rigid, unchanging posture; values evolve with evidence and relationship. Processing Group Hurt: Don’t rush past collective wounds; learn to carry them together. Contemplative Prayer: Prayer as receptivity and openness, not productivity. Caring for a Terminally Ill Friend: Let them teach you; honor their humanity without rushing to fix or control. Closing: A reading from Justin’s forthcoming book with Scott Erickson. Links For Justin:Read Justin's Substack Order In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of Poems Order Sacred Strides JustinMcRoberts.com Support this podcast NEW Single - Let Go NEW Music - Sliver of Hope NEW Music - The Dood and The Bird The Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble

Episode Notes:Fostering unity in politically split churches: Use group-based creative projects and shared reflection (like Lectio Divina). Staying motivated: You don’t have to feel motivated—learn to work without it. Breaking conflict cycles: Let go of the need to win. Signal that the relationship means more than the argument. Navigating hard conversations: Only have them with people you trust. Be honest about why it's hard. Sticking to creative/spiritual routines: Go small and consistent. Add complexity only after habits feel natural. Links For Justin:Read Justin's Substack Order In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of Poems Order Sacred Strides JustinMcRoberts.com Support this podcast NEW Single - Let Go NEW Music - Sliver of Hope NEW Music - The Dood and The Bird The Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble

Listener Question: How do I stay engaged with a broken or compromised system? Coaching Insight: The answer depends on context—but it starts with deciding if you want to engage Hero’s Journey Framework: Crisis, the low point, perspective, and the invitation to re-enter Temptation of Distance: Why staying detached can feel safe but keeps us isolated The Cost of Return: Re-engaging means risking hurt again—but also invites growth Cycle of Life: We never “arrive”—we grow through constant cycles of disappointment and resolve The Low Show: A creative collaboration with Scott Erickson rooted in this rhythm Links For Justin:Read Justin's Substack Order In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of Poems Order Sacred Strides JustinMcRoberts.com Support this podcast NEW Single - Let Go NEW Music - Sliver of Hope NEW Music - The Dood and The Bird The Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble

Introduction: The evolution of At Sea into a listener-driven Q&A formatPublic vs. Private Religion: Addressing a critique on public fasting and faith practicesPerfectionism in Faith: How the demand for purity can lead to isolationLessons from Leadership: Reflections on pastoral life and the struggles of maintaining a communityWhy Public Faith Matters: Creating shared spaces for growth, support, and imperfectionThe Role of Imperfection: How embracing our limitations opens the door for community and transformationClosing Thoughts: Inviting people to share in faith practices without the pressure of perfection Links For Justin:Read Justin's Substack Order In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of Poems Order Sacred Strides JustinMcRoberts.com Support this podcast NEW Single - Let Go NEW Music - Sliver of Hope NEW Music - The Dood and The Bird The Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble

Introduction: The shift in the podcast’s format and answering listener questionsADHD & Spirituality: Exploring how neurodivergence intersects with faith and spiritual formationReframing ADHD: Why ADHD isn’t a disorder but a different way of interacting with the worldHyperactivity & Masculinity: How society misinterprets hyperactivity, especially in menAttention Deficit Myth: ADHD isn’t a lack of attention—it’s the challenge of directing itInstitutional Challenges: Why modern systems don’t always support neurodivergent peopleResources for Further Learning: Books Stolen Focus (Johann Hari) and Driven to DistractionFinal Thoughts: The need to rethink how we define ADHD and its role in a flourishing life Links For Justin:Read Justin's Substack Order In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of Poems Order Sacred Strides JustinMcRoberts.com Support this podcast NEW Single - Let Go NEW Music - Sliver of Hope NEW Music - The Dood and The Bird The Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble