Episode 362: Nervous System, Survival Mode, and Lasting Character Change with Chuck DeGroat

Erin Kerry sits down with Chuck DeGroat, licensed therapist, spiritual director, and professor of pastoral care and Christian spirituality at Western Theological Seminary. They talk about his new book, Who You’re Becoming: The Slow and Courageous Work of Cultivating Character in a Narcissistic Age. Together, they discuss: * why our culture values platform over character * the rise of “faux vulnerability” * the “storm” and “fog” states of a dysregulated nervous system * how compulsive habits form * dopamine-seeking and scrolling * why the habits we’re ashamed of often started as protection You’ll also learn: * why the Greek word behind “be perfect” in Matthew 5:48 points to wholeness, not flawless behavior * how years of ignored stress landed Chuck in the hospital with a septic gallbladder at 42 * why true resilience means a wider window of tolerance, not toughing it out Whether you’re stuck in patterns you can’t explain, worn out from trying to be the “perfect” Christian, ignoring signals from your body, or wondering why change feels so slow, this conversation offers compassion for your story and hope for who you’re becoming. Links Mentioned: * Who You’re Becoming by Chuck DeGroat (releases October 20, 2026) * Chuck’s website: chuckdegroat.net * The Soul Care Collaborative: soulcarecollaborative.com * Chuck’s Substack: Sit with Chuck * Chuck on Instagram: @chuckdegroat * Join Erin’s email list: https://erinbkerry.mykajabi.com/email-list