The Sacred Sofa

The Practice of Prayer

In this episode of The Sacred Sofa, Brad and Grace welcome back Karla Drader for a thoughtful exploration of prayer as a path through illusion and into truth. 🙏🛋️

Together, they reflect on how prayer can help us unravel the false narratives we carry—about ourselves, others, and God—and gently guide us toward greater clarity, surrender, and connection.

They also share their own unique approaches to prayer, offering a glimpse into the many shapes and forms this sacred practice can take. Whether you’re a longtime pray-er or just beginning to explore spiritual practices, this conversation offers both insight and invitation.

🎧 Tune in for a grounded, honest, and hope-filled episode about the role of prayer in the spiritual journey.

Losing My Illusions

This week on The Sacred Sofa, Brad and Grace are joined by Karla Drader—pastor, spiritual director, and returning guest—for a deep and honest conversation about the illusions we carry through life. 🛋️✨

Together, they explore two major illusions that often shape how we see ourselves, others, and God—and how letting go of these illusions can move us toward greater truth, clarity, and freedom.

With warmth, wisdom, and practical insight, the trio invites us to examine:

🔍 What illusions might be keeping us stuck?
💔 What does it take to release them?
🌱 And what opens up when we step into reality with humility and hope?

🎧 Join us for a meaningful conversation about spiritual growth, disillusionment, and the sacred journey toward truth.

 

Barriers to Intimacy

After mapping the terrain of our loneliness, this week on The Sacred Sofa, Brad and Grace take the next step: identifying the barriers that keep us from true intimacy. 🛋️💔

Why do we still feel lonely—even when we’re not alone?

In this episode, they unpack some of the most common roadblocks to connection:
😐 Boredom that dulls our sense of engagement
🤐 Unspoken and unrealistic expectations that go unmet
😠 Irritation with difference that pushes us apart

Through thoughtful conversation and compassionate insight, Grace and Brad explore how these subtle dynamics can quietly keep us stuck in loneliness, and what it might take to move toward authentic intimacy.

🎧 Listen in and reflect on what might be getting in the way of the connection you long for.

Mapping Loneliness

The Sacred Sofa is back! 🛋️

In this episode, Brad & Grace dive into one of the most deeply felt but often misunderstood human experiences: loneliness. 💭💔

Together, they explore five distinct expressions of loneliness—

1️⃣ Alienation
2️⃣ Restlessness
3️⃣ Fantasy
4️⃣ Rootlessness
5️⃣ Depression

By mapping these layers, Grace & Brad offer a gentle, reflective framework to better understand where loneliness shows up in our lives—and how we might begin to navigate it with awareness, compassion, and hope. 🌿

🎧 Tune in to feel seen, heard, and a little less alone.

🛋️ The Sacred Sofa returns Thursday, May 15! 🎧

In this next mini-series, Brad & Grace will gently unpack one of the most universal—and often unspoken—human experiences: loneliness. 💭💔

Together, they’ll explore where it shows up in our lives, why it matters, and how we can navigate it with honesty, compassion, and connection.

 

✨ Tune in for thoughtful conversations that meet you right where you are.

 

#TheSacredSofa #Loneliness #FaithAndConnection #FlourishingLife

Coming Up on The Sacred Sofa

The Sacred Sofa is taking a short break over the Easter season, but don’t worry—we’ll be back with a new episode on Thursday, May 1! 🐣🌿

Brad & Grace will continue exploring The Flourishing Life by diving into the narratives that define us—the stories we live by, and the ones we could choose instead. 📖✨

What stories have shaped your identity, relationships, and choices? And are there healthier, more life-giving narratives waiting to be embraced? Join us in May as we unpack how reframing our stories can lead to greater freedom, meaning, and connection. 💛

🎧 Mark your calendars—see you May 1!

The Heart of Hospitality

In this episode of The Sacred Sofa, Brad & Grace welcome back Karla Drader to explore the transformative power of hospitality. 🌿💛

Building on our previous conversation about recognizing and managing hostility, Karla introduces the idea of inner hospitality—a heart-centered openness that goes beyond simply welcoming guests. 🏡✨

Drawing from Henri Nouwen’s Reaching Out, they discuss:

🤲 Cultivating compassion in a divided world
⚖️ Setting healthy boundaries without closing off
💛 Creating space for others to foster deep relationships

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on how true hospitality shapes our homes, communities, and personal growth—and what it really means to walk the Jesus Path. 🛤️

🎧 Listen now & open your heart to the deeper call of hospitality!

Hostility

In this episode of The Sacred Sofa, Grace & Brad welcome Karla Drader for a deep dive into hostility—how it shows up in our lives, its roots in fear & insecurity, and how we can transform it into something healthier. 💭🔥

Drawing from Henri Nouwen’s framework and biblical insights, they explore the fine line between hostility & assertiveness, the importance of self-awareness, and the role of boundaries on the Jesus Path. 🛤️✨

Through personal stories, thought-provoking questions, and honest reflections, they unpack how we can move from "otherness" to "oneness", creating spaces of true belonging and reconciliation. 💛🤝

🎧 Tune in for a powerful conversation on healing, connection, and the courage to transform hostility into hospitality.