Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
How can ancient spiritual practices be reanimated for modern life?
In this compelling episode, John sits down again with therapist Seth Allison to delve deep into the themes of suffering, trust, and growth within the frame of internal family systems therapy and Jungian analysis. Seth discusses his transformative experiences over the past few years, including the impact of previous conversations with John and his own journey through a profound period of liminality. They touch upon voluntary necessity, the role of suffering in cultivating faith, and the transformative power of relationships and community in overcoming personal crises. Seth also highlights the significance of humility in effective leadership and his aspirations for fostering supportive, growth-oriented environments in both personal and professional settings.
Seth Allison is a psychotherapist and depth-oriented thinker whose work integrates attachment theory, Internal Family Systems, and Jungian psychology with spiritual and existential inquiry. Drawing from both clinical training and lived experience, he specializes in helping individuals navigate midlife transitions, relational struggles, addiction dynamics, and identity shifts. Seth’s approach emphasizes authenticity, relational depth, and the courageous engagement of suffering as a doorway to growth and deeper participation in life.
Seth Allison: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/seth-allison-13abb811b
The Cost of Discipleship - amazon.com/Cost-Discipleship-Dietrich-Bonhoeffer/dp/0684815001
Murray Stein - murraystein.com/wp
The Serenity Prayer - amazon.com/Serenity-Prayer-Faith-Politics-Times/dp/0393057461
Notes:
00:00 Welcome back to The Lectern
01:00 Seth's journey and impact of conversations
05:00 Voluntary necessity and spiritual depth
08:00 Bonhoeffer's profound insights
11:00 Personal reflections and resonance realization
25:30 Exploring liminality and midlife transitions
29:54 You can't serve money and God, and money doesn't just mean money, it means ego, success and accomplishment.
52:00 Hermes and the concept of love addiction
52:30 The arena of partnership and self-discovery
54:00 Addiction and attachment strategies
56:30 Faith and recovery: a new perspective
58:30 The role of symbols and sensory experience
59:30 Transcendence and metanoia
01:07:30 The importance of community in recovery
01:18:30 Navigating betrayal and suffering
01:35:00 Leadership and humility
01:44:00 The subversive power of trust
John Vervaeke:
Website: johnvervaeke.com
Twitter: https://x.com/DrJohnVervaeke
YouTube: youtube.com/@johnvervaeke/videos
Patreon: patreon.com/johnvervaeke
If you would like to donate purely out of goodwill to support John’s work, please consider joining our Patreon. patreon.com/johnvervaeke
Want to go deeper? Join the Lectern platform on Teachable for full-length courses, guided series, and structured pathways into the ideas explored here.
Enroll here: lectern.teachable.com/p/lectern-lounge
Thank you for Listening!
How can ancient spiritual practices be reanimated for modern life?
In this compelling episode, John sits down again with therapist Seth Allison to delve deep into the themes of suffering, trust, and growth within the frame of internal family systems therapy and Jungian analysis. Seth discusses his transformative experiences over the past few years, including the impact of previous conversations with John and his own journey through a profound period of liminality. They touch upon voluntary necessity, the role of suffering in cultivating faith, and the transformative power of relationships and community in overcoming personal crises. Seth also highlights the significance of humility in effective leadership and his aspirations for fostering supportive, growth-oriented environments in both personal and professional settings.
Seth Allison is a psychotherapist and depth-oriented thinker whose work integrates attachment theory, Internal Family Systems, and Jungian psychology with spiritual and existential inquiry. Drawing from both clinical training and lived experience, he specializes in helping individuals navigate midlife transitions, relational struggles, addiction dynamics, and identity shifts. Seth’s approach emphasizes authenticity, relational depth, and the courageous engagement of suffering as a doorway to growth and deeper participation in life.
Seth Allison: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/seth-allison-13abb811b
The Cost of Discipleship - amazon.com/Cost-Discipleship-Dietrich-Bonhoeffer/dp/0684815001
Murray Stein - murraystein.com/wp
The Serenity Prayer - amazon.com/Serenity-Prayer-Faith-Politics-Times/dp/0393057461
Notes:
00:00 Welcome back to The Lectern
01:00 Seth's journey and impact of conversations
05:00 Voluntary necessity and spiritual depth
08:00 Bonhoeffer's profound insights
11:00 Personal reflections and resonance realization
25:30 Exploring liminality and midlife transitions
29:54 You can't serve money and God, and money doesn't just mean money, it means ego, success and accomplishment.
52:00 Hermes and the concept of love addiction
52:30 The arena of partnership and self-discovery
54:00 Addiction and attachment strategies
56:30 Faith and recovery: a new perspective
58:30 The role of symbols and sensory experience
59:30 Transcendence and metanoia
01:07:30 The importance of community in recovery
01:18:30 Navigating betrayal and suffering
01:35:00 Leadership and humility
01:44:00 The subversive power of trust
John Vervaeke:
Website: johnvervaeke.com
Twitter: https://x.com/DrJohnVervaeke
YouTube: youtube.com/@johnvervaeke/videos
Patreon: patreon.com/johnvervaeke
If you would like to donate purely out of goodwill to support John’s work, please consider joining our Patreon. patreon.com/johnvervaeke
Want to go deeper? Join the Lectern platform on Teachable for full-length courses, guided series, and structured pathways into the ideas explored here.
Enroll here: lectern.teachable.com/p/lectern-lounge
Thank you for Listening!
