In episode 187, we welcome Dr. Jason Swan Clark, a professor, spiritual director, former pastor, and theologian, who recounts his traumatic childhood, coming to faith at 17, decades of church planting and pastoral leadership, a nervous breakdown at 30, and ongoing work integrating mental health and faith.
Jason describes how suffering shaped his leadership, distinguishes healing from transformation, and explains Ignatian spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises, including consolation/desolation and a practical discernment process.
He closes with a personal story of meeting Jesus in Gethsemane through the Exercises during COVID and shares where to find his work online.
00:00 Podcast Welcome
00:29 Episode 187 Milestone
01:14 Institute Updates
02:40 Meet Jason Swan Clark
04:25 Setting the Conversation
06:17 Jason's Origin Story
08:34 Breakdown and Calling
09:45 Waverley Abbey Vision
13:21 Trauma Survival and Escape
18:20 Workaholism as Coping
24:22 Trauma Shaping Leadership
31:10 Healing vs Transformation
34:46 Wanting More Than Healing
36:30 Healing Through Participation
40:04 Embracing the Cross
42:25 Trauma and Purpose
46:30 Ignatius and the Exercises
51:34 Discernment Made Practical
01:00:18 Freedom and Attachments
01:05:32 Gethsemane Stay Awake
01:07:24 Closing and Where to Find Jason
https://www.spex.so/
https://www.jasonswanclark.org/
