Practicing Hope Podcast

The Colossian Forum
  • 5.0 (13)
  • CHRISTIANITY

Practicing Hope is a podcast for Christians looking for honest conversations about the brokenness and beauty in the world. Hosted by your friends at The Colossian Forum, you'll learn about reconciliation, transformation, and new ways to practice hope.

  1. How to Lead Communal Discernment Without Losing Trust

    APR 30

    How to Lead Communal Discernment Without Losing Trust

    What do you do when a decision impacts everyone, but not everyone agrees? Making decisions on your own is hard enough. But in leadership, decisions often have consequences for an entire community. The challenge is building a process people can trust, even when they don't get their way. In this episode, Tanner Smith, Chase Rashad Stancle, and Sarah Johnson explore the real tension of communal discernment: how leaders can navigate complex decisions with clarity, honesty, and care. Through stories from church leadership, organizational life, and their own experiences, they unpack practical ways to involve people, reduce anxiety, and build trust that lasts beyond the decision itself. In this episode, you'll hear: Why clarity about roles and decision-making authority builds trust — even when people disagree How practices like "if-then thinking" and separating data gathering from decision-making reduce anxiety What it looks like to care for people after a decision — especially those who feel like they lost Show Notes Fair Process framework — honesty, transparency, and respect in decision-making "If-Then" practice — naming fears and planning responses to reduce catastrophizing Colossians 3:15 — "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…" If you're interested in learning more about The Colossian Forum, visit our website colossianforum.org, and follow us on social media @colossianforum.

    59 min
  2. Should I Say Something? Discerning When to Speak Hard Truth

    APR 16

    Should I Say Something? Discerning When to Speak Hard Truth

    Have you ever sat in a room where something needed to be said, but no one said it? In this episode, Tanner Smith, Chase Rashad Stancle, and Sarah Johnson explore the challenge of naming hard truths with both courage and care. From "pointing to elephants" in the room to learning how to avoid dropping "verbal bombs," they reflect on the practices that help us discern when to speak, how to prepare our hearts, and how to stay connected even in difficult conversations. In this episode, you'll hear: Why naming hard truths requires both courage and emotional maturity How to discern your motivation before speaking, and why it matters Practical ways to enter hard conversations with clarity, curiosity, and care Show Notes: Colossians 4:6 — "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt…" If you're interested in learning more about The Colossian Forum, visit our website colossianforum.org, and follow us on social media @colossianforum.

    53 min
  3. Why We Delay Hard Decisions (and How to Move Forward)

    APR 2

    Why We Delay Hard Decisions (and How to Move Forward)

    Have you ever had a decision that just… lingers? A conversation you know you need to have. A leadership call that keeps getting pushed to the next meeting. You tell yourself you're "still discerning" — but you're not actually moving forward. In this episode, Tanner Smith, Chase Rashad Stancle, and Sarah Johnson explore the tension between faithful discernment and avoidance — why decisions get stuck, how fear and uncertainty keep us spinning, and what it looks like to grow into leaders who can listen deeply and act when it's time. Drawing on stories from church leadership, parenting, and everyday life, they offer practical ways to recognize real progress, name what's underneath our hesitation, and move forward with courage and clarity. In this episode, you'll hear: How to recognize the difference between real discernment and subtle avoidance Why fear of consequences — not the decision itself — often keeps us stuck Practical ways to move forward, including small decisions, play, and honest conversations Show Notes: The Failure of Nerve by Edwin Friedman Leading with a Limp by Dan Allender Holy Play by Kirk Byron Jones The Book of Esther (referenced as a model of courageous decision-making) If you're interested in learning more about The Colossian Forum, visit our website colossianforum.org, and follow us on social media @colossianforum.

    53 min
  4. How to Follow Through on a Hard Decision Without Shrinking Yourself or Burning Bridges

    MAR 19

    How to Follow Through on a Hard Decision Without Shrinking Yourself or Burning Bridges

    Have you ever made a hard decision — only to realize the real challenge comes after? Maybe you're in a church, workplace, or community where there's real disagreement. You've wrestled with whether to stay or leave, and you've made your decision. But now a new set of questions begins: How do you stay without losing yourself? How do you leave without damaging relationships? And how do you move forward with honesty and care when there's no clean resolution? In this episode, Tanner Smith, Chase Rashad Stancle, and Sarah Johnson explore what it looks like to live your decision with humility and courage. Through stories, humor, and practical wisdom, they name common pitfalls like silent quitting, over-functioning, and avoiding grief — and offer a more hopeful path rooted in boundaries, vulnerability, and love. In this episode, you'll hear: Why disagreement often surfaces grief and how avoiding it can distort how we stay or leave Common unhealthy patterns (like over-functioning, appeasing, or shutting down) and how to recognize them Practical ways to stay present, set boundaries, and move forward without losing yourself or others If you're interested in learning more about The Colossian Forum, visit our website colossianforum.org, and follow us on social media @colossianforum.

    41 min
  5. What to Do When Your Community Makes a Decision You Disagree With

    MAR 4

    What to Do When Your Community Makes a Decision You Disagree With

    Have you ever wished there were a simple formula for knowing when it's time to move on,  especially after your community makes a decision you wouldn't have chosen? Sometimes the hardest decisions aren't about starting something new — they're about what to do after a decision has already been made. Maybe your church changed direction. Maybe your organization chose a path you wouldn't have chosen. Now you're left holding the question: Do I stay, or is it time to go? In this episode, Tanner Smith, Chase Rashad Stancle, and Sarah Johnson explore what faithful discernment looks like when you find yourself out of step with your community. Drawing on personal stories, leadership experiences, and practices from the Christian tradition, they talk about how to slow down, notice what's happening inside you, and discern your next step without rushing toward relief or avoiding the question altogether. In this episode, you'll hear: Why the deeper question isn't just "Should I stay or go?" but who you're becoming as you discern How to tell the difference between healthy discomfort, anxiety, and harm Practical ways to discern your next step — including the "sandbox week" practice and taking small, reversible actions Show Notes Discernment by Henri Nouwen  Ignatian practice of the Examen (consolation and desolation) If you're interested in learning more about The Colossian Forum, visit our website colossianforum.org, and follow us on social media @colossianforum.

    48 min
  6. Don't Let Fear Drive Your Decisions

    FEB 4

    Don't Let Fear Drive Your Decisions

    Have you ever carried a decision that felt heavy? Leadership often puts us in moments where there's no obvious right answer — just responsibility, consequence, and the hope that we don't cause harm. What if discernment isn't about finding certainty, but about becoming the kind of person who can choose love when the stakes are high? In this episode, Tanner Smith is joined by Chase Stancle and Sarah Johnson to explore what it means to discern well under pressure. They talk about fear, fatigue, and responsibility, and the practices that form leaders who can listen deeply, act with integrity, and stay grounded when decisions affect others. In this episode, you'll hear: Why hard decisions often involve competing goods, not right vs. wrong How fear, fatigue, and responsibility shape our decision-making Practices that help leaders choose love over anxiety Show notes Discernment by Henri Nouwen Practice of Deep listening: Listening on multiple levels — to words, meaning beneath words, tone, and body language. If you're interested in learning more about The Colossian Forum, visit our website colossianforum.org, and follow us on social media @colossianforum.

    50 min
  7. You Don't Have to Fix It: Loving People in Pain

    JAN 21

    You Don't Have to Fix It: Loving People in Pain

    Have you ever had someone trust you with something heavy, and suddenly you're not sure what to say? A friend tells you their marriage is falling apart. A volunteer quietly admits they're exhausted and thinking about stepping away. You want to respond well, but your mind races. What if trust isn't about having the perfect words, but about showing up with steadiness, humility, and care? In this episode, hosts Tanner Smith and Sarah Johnson are joined by Holly Wilson from Safe Haven Ministries to talk about what trustworthiness looks like in real relationships, especially when someone shares a painful story. In this episode, you'll hear: Why judgment is often self-protection, and how to step out of it How body language, pacing, and presence communicate safety What to do when you're out of your depth, and why honesty builds trust Show Notes Safe Haven Ministries — Learn more about their work supporting individuals impacted by domestic violence and human trafficking: safehavenministries.org Slowing Down Guide — A formation guide from The Colossian Forum for practicing presence and steadiness in moments of stress. Download here!  Hope in Your Inbox — The Colossian Forum's weekly newsletter with practices, reflections, and encouragement. Subscribe here: colossianforum.org/newsletter Fred Rogers quote: "Anything that's human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone." Scripture: Mark 5:25–34 — Jesus' unhurried, attentive response to the woman who touches the hem of his garment If you're interested in learning more about The Colossian Forum, visit our website colossianforum.org, and follow us on social media @colossianforum.

    46 min
  8. The Cost of Doing Everything Yourself

    JAN 6

    The Cost of Doing Everything Yourself

    Have you ever gone days without needing to ask anyone for help? Groceries arrive at your door. Coffee is ordered ahead. Work, worship, and errands can all happen without a single face-to-face conversation. Life runs efficiently, but often at the cost of shared life. What if a fuller life comes not from convenience, but from shared life with others? Tanner Smith and Chase Rashad Stancle examine the value of self-sufficiency and how it shapes our neighborhoods, churches, and relationships. They talk about proximity, hospitality, and why growth often comes through inconvenience, disagreement, and showing up in person. Along the way, they offer practices that help rebuild everyday connection, starting right where we live. In this episode, you'll hear: How convenience can replace interdependence Why presence matters more than efficiency One concrete practice to try with your neighbors Show Notes: Genesis 2:18 — "It is not good for humans to be alone" Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition by Christine Pohl  You Are What You Love by James K.A. Smith Lessons from Mister Rogers, an article on The Latest by Heidi De Jonge, a Colossian Forum trainer  The extra pie practice: Make or buy more dessert than you need, then use it as a low-pressure reason to knock on a neighbor's door. The goal is to create a brief, human moment that opens the door to connection. Pie recipes from Sarah: Chocolate Cream Pie and Lemonade Pie If you're interested in learning more about The Colossian Forum, visit our website colossianforum.org, and follow us on social media @colossianforum.

    52 min
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5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Practicing Hope is a podcast for Christians looking for honest conversations about the brokenness and beauty in the world. Hosted by your friends at The Colossian Forum, you'll learn about reconciliation, transformation, and new ways to practice hope.

Information

  • Creator
    The Colossian Forum
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Practicing Hope Podcast

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