The Being Formed Podcast

In this episode of The Being Formed Podcast, Adam Ormord is joined by Todd Spencer, a spiritual director, coach, and retreat guide whose ministry centers on caring for leaders in need of fresh sources of life.

Todd shares his journey into spiritual direction, the heart behind Headwaters of Hope, and his conviction that deep rest—sometimes as simple as long, unhurried sleep—is often the first step toward healing and renewal.

This conversation is an invitation to slow down, return to the Source, and rediscover hope at the headwaters of our lives.

In this episode, Todd and Adam explore:

Todd’s journey into spiritual direction and coaching

The story and meaning behind the name Headwaters of Hope

Why rest—real rest—is essential for leaders and caregivers

What happens when leaders finally slow down enough to listen

The role of retreats in returning people to God, to themselves, and to what truly matters

Learn more: https://www.headwatersofhope.org

Read Todd's Article: Headwaters of Hope (published in Presence Journal, September 2023)

The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.

What if discipleship was less about learning more information about God and more about learning how to live with God?

In this episode of The Being Formed Podcast, Adam Ormord sits down with Debbie Swindoll — founder of Grafted Life Ministries and the Christ-Centered Spiritual Directors Association (CSDA). Together, they explore the difference between information-based discipleship and true spiritual formation that leads to transformation into Christlikeness.

Debbie shares her heart for the church, her concerns about the current state of discipleship, and her hope for a more relational, Spirit-led approach to formation. The conversation weaves together theology, lived experience, and pastoral wisdom, inviting listeners to reflect on their own journey of life with God.

They also celebrate CSDA’s 15-year journey — a global community of over 1,000 spiritual directors committed to Christ-centered spiritual direction, shared theological grounding, and ethical practice through a common code of conduct.

This episode is a gentle yet clarifying invitation: to slow down, to notice God’s presence, and to allow transformation to emerge from relationship rather than effort.

In This Episode, We Explore

The difference between knowing about God and living life with God

Why many discipleship models struggle to produce lasting transformation

How spiritual formation offers a more faithful and sustainable path

Debbie’s group study, Life With God, and how churches are using it

The vision and impact of the Christ-Centered Spiritual Directors Association (CSDA)

Why theological grounding and community matter deeply for spiritual directors

Where Debbie finds hope for the future of the church

The practices that continue to form Debbie’s own life with God

Learn More

Grafted Life Ministries: https://www.graftedlife.org

Christ-Centered Spiritual Directors Association (CSDA): https://www.graftedlife.org/csda/home/

Life With God study by Debbie Swindoll (available via Grafted Life)

Closing Reflection
This conversation invites us to reconsider what we mean by discipleship — not as mastery of content, but as apprentices participating in a shared life with God. May it encourage you to listen more deeply, trust the slow work of the Spirit, and remain open to the ongoing formation happening in you.

The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.

In this episode of The Being Formed Podcast, Adam Ormord (Founder of LifePoint Resources) is joined by author and ministry leader, Angie Day Peters, for a reflective conversation about spiritual freedom and transformation.

Centered on Angie’s book, Rooted Revolution: Embracing the Mess and the Mystery, this episode explores what happens when Jesus returns to the center of our lives—and how that re-centering opens the way for freedom in our relationship with Christ, within ourselves, and with others.

Special Bonus: At the 24:20 mark of the conversation, Adam shares his own prayer called “Somewhere in the Middle.” Be sure to listen to this part of the episode as a gentle reminder to return to what matters most.

We reflect on:

Why Jesus must be at the center of our churches and our formation

How freedom flows from a rooted life in Christ

Returning to love, presence, and wholeness

The mess and the mystery of relational community

Rooted Revolution: Embracing the Mess and the Mystery by Angie Day Peters (Purchase on Amazon)

Learn more and connect with Angie at Unedited Life.

#BeingFormedPodcast #LifePointResources #SpiritualFormation #SoulCare #RootedRevolution #UneditedLife #AngieDayPeters #SomewhereInTheMiddle #AdamOrmord

The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.

Episode Summary
In this episode, Adam sits down with Stephen W. Smith, author and founder of The Potter’s Inn and a long-time voice in the world of soul care. Steve shares about his new book of poetry, Greening, and the inner awakening he’s been experiencing in recent years. Together, Adam and Steve explore the role of poetry in spiritual formation, the journey of discovering one’s true self, and the ongoing invitation to live from a deep heart.

About Stephen W. Smith

Author of many books on spiritual formation, soul care, and leadership health

Founder (with his wife Gwen) of The Potter’s Inn, a ministry that profoundly influenced Adam’s own life and the formation of LifePoint Resources

Longtime retreat leader and spiritual guide

Writes regularly on Substack

Resources Mentioned

Greening: Poems in the Unfolding of Our Lives
Stephen W. Smith (Purchase Hardcover and Kindle on Amazon)

Potter's Inn (PottersInn.com)

Steve’s Substack (Read and engage with Steve's latest work)

Key Themes

How poetry opens the heart to God in unique ways

Navigating seasons of transition and inner resurgence

The spiritual symbolism of pilgrimage

The urgent need for slowness in our chaotic world

The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.

In this special Advent episode of The Being Formed Podcast, Adam Ormord sits down with two fellow spiritual directors — Niecy LoCricchio and Lynn Biskner — to explore how we can enter this Advent season with greater attentiveness, creativity, and openness to God’s presence.

Conversation with Niecy LoCricchio
Adam first welcomes author and spiritual director, Niecy LoCricchio, whose new book—The Journey of Christmas Love: A Coloring Nativity Adventure and Advent Calendar for Families—invites children and adults alike into a creative, contemplative journey through the story of Jesus’ birth.

CLICK HERE to purchase The Journey of Christmas Love on Amazon.

Bonus Conversation with Lynn Biskner (plus FREE Resource)
Adam and Lynn Biskner (Spiritual Direction Coordinator and Volunteer Writer for LifePoint Resources) reflect on what it means to wait with hopeful anticipation during Advent and how this season can be a gentle invitation to slow down and listen more deeply.

The subject of our conversation is the FREE Advent Retreat, written by Lynn Biskner, called “Advent: The Dawn of New Creation.”

CLICK HERE to download LifePoint's FREE Advent Retreat.

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Learn more about LifePoint Resources and opportunities for soul care.

The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.