On the 142nd episode of What is a Good Life?, I’m delighted to welcome Jim Palmer, Founder of the Center for Non-Religious Spirituality. A critically acclaimed author, former megachurch pastor, adjunct professor, and chaplain with the American Humanist Association, Jim is also a trained counsellor in religious trauma and spiritual abuse.

In this conversation, he reflects on his journey through a crisis of faith, his experiences as a megachurch pastor, and his challenges of navigating religious culture. We explore theological deconstruction, rewilding spirituality, and the importance of embracing diverse perspectives. This episode invites you to consider a faith in life itself as a way to deepen our connection with existence.

For more of Jim's work:
Substack: https://substack.com/@jimpalmerauthor
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimpalmerauthor/

For more from Mark McCartney:
Newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
Website: https://www.mmcleadership.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markcmccartney

00:00 Introduction and Setup

01:51 Exploring the Good Life

02:50 The More Than Human World

06:22 Personal Evolution and Crisis of Faith

12:22 Experiences as a Mega Church Pastor

17:35 The Challenges of Mega Church Culture

21:22 Theological Deconstruction and Reconstruction

26:38 Confronting Suffering and Injustice

33:03 Cognitive Dissonance in Religion

39:13 Processing Religious Trauma

42:55 Rewilding Spirituality

50:04 God as a Verb

54:20 The Good Life as a Process of Inquiry

58:06 Faith in Life and Interconnectivity

What Is A Good Life? #142 - Cultivating A Faith In Life Itself with Jim Palmer