In this episode, I talk to Gordon Bals about loneliness and grief. Our conversation was so helpful to me as I’ve been dealing with a specific form of grief the past several weeks. I hope others who listen will also be comforted.
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In this episode, I talk to Aundi Kolber about loneliness and the holidays.
Someone recently asked me how we can help others who struggle with loneliness. I fumbled through an answer and honestly don’t even remember what I said. But I wish I had said that one thing we can do is invite those who struggle with loneliness to talk about it. I truly believe naming our loneliness and talking about it reduces the amount of power loneliness has over us. And holding space for others to talk about their suffering is a huge gift to them because so few people do that.
If you or someone you know struggles with loneliness, I invite you to listen. My new batch of episodes (with amazing guests!) is releasing over the next several weeks. This episode on loneliness and the holidays with Aundi Kolber is live now. She offers gentle insight and many great suggestions for those who experience loneliness.
Aundi Kolber is a licensed professional counselor (MA, LPC), an author, and a speaker living in Castle Rock, Colorado. She has received additional training in her specialization of trauma- and body-centered therapies and is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology. She has written for Relevant, CT Women, and (in)courage. As a survivor of trauma, Aundi brings hard-won knowledge about the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God with us in our pain. Aundi is happily married to her best friend, Brendan, and is the proud mom of Matia and Jude.
Aundi Kolber believes that we don’t have to white-knuckle our way through life. In her debut book, Try Softer, she’ll show us how God specifically designed our bodies and minds to work together to process our stories and work through obstacles. Through the latest psychology, practical clinical exercises, and her own personal story, Aundi equips and empowers us to connect us to our truest self and truly live. Try Softer is available for pre-order now and will be released on January 7, 2020.
Charlotte Donlon is a writer, a spiritual director for writers, and the founder and host of the Our Faith in Writing podcast and website. Charlotte’s writing and work are rooted in noticing how art helps us belong to ourselves, others, God, and the world. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Curator, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Catapult, The Millions, Mockingbird, and elsewhere. Her first book is The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other. You can subscribe to her newsletter and connect with her onTwitter and Instagram.
Hope for the Lonely Small Group Discussion Guide
Week One Episode 2
Starting the Conversation
Opening Questions
(Everyone is invited to share their answers with the group.)
Before we get started, what are your initial thoughts about the topic of loneliness? And, what do you hope to gain from our Hope for the Lonely small group meetings?
Take one-to-two minutes of silence to let go of any cares, concerns, etc.
Listen to Episode 2 of Hope for the Lonely (11 min 22 sec)
Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever talked about loneliness with anyone?
2. Did any of the definitions of loneliness from this episode catch your attention? How do you define loneliness?
3. In this episode, Charlotte talks a bit about the loneliness of motherhood. What seasons have seemed lonelier to you?
4. When you have struggled with loneliness, what has given you hope?
5. What additional thoughts or observations would you like to share?
Read Psalm 13 together.
A Prayer
Lord, when we feel forgotten or alone, comfort us. When we wrestle with our worries, give us peace. Enable us to trust you, to receive your love, and to rest in your grace. Amen.
Share prayer requests and pray together.
Charlotte Donlon is a writer, a spiritual director for writers, and the founder and host of the Our Faith in Writing podcast and website. Charlotte’s writing and work are rooted in noticing how art helps us belong to ourselves, others, God, and the world. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Curator, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Catapult, The Millions, Mockingbird, and elsewhere. Her first book is The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other. You can subscribe to her newsletter and connect with her onTwitter and Instagram.
In this episode, I explore connections between loneliness and busyness, focusing primarily on young adults who are some of the loneliest people in the United States.
Listen to Hope for the Lonely Episode 14: Loneliness and Busyness
Read MoreIn this episode I explore loneliness and marriage primarily through sharing several vulnerable responses about loneliness and marriage from the anonymous online survey for this episode. I also give a shoutout to how great therapy is for people who need someone to talk to about their loneliness.
Listen to Hope for the Lonely Episode Thirteen: Loneliness and Marriage.
Read MoreIn this episode, I look at some of the sources of hope we can hold onto in the midst of our loneliness.
Listen to Hope for the Lonely Episode Eleven: A Heap of Hope.
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