There comes a time in every seeker’s life when the well runs dry, when prayer feels hollow, scripture feels distant, and the certainty that once steadied our steps begins to shift like sand beneath our feet. In those moments, we do not need more noise, more answers, or more tasks to complete. Weneed a companion; a wise and patient listener who can help us hear the voice of God again.

In this episode of Discipleship Conversations, hosts Cheryl Russell and Tiffany Dahlman welcome Dr. Mallory Wyckoff, a writer, speaker, spiritual director, and peacemaker who has spent her life holding space for others to encounter the sacred. As the founder of The Healing Collective Center for Spiritual Formation and associate director of philanthropy communications for Search for Common Ground, Mallory has witnessed firsthand the quiet, transformative power of spiritual direction, especially helpful for those who lead and serve.

Together, they explore the deep well of spiritual direction,how it differs from pastoral counseling, how it helps weary souls rediscover their footing, and why it matters for pastors and leaders. Mallory also shares how trauma shapes the way we see God and what it means to bring our whole selves, wounded and wondering, into the presence of the divine.

If you have ever longed for a way to tend your soul withcuriosity and courage, this conversation is for you. 

Mallory Wyckoff (DMin, MTS, MA) is a writer, speaker, spiritual director, and peacemaker. She is associate director of philanthropy communications with Search for Common Ground, the world’s largest organization dedicated to peacebuilding. She is also the founder and director of The Healing Collective Center for Spiritual Formation, where she trains individuals to become certified spiritual directors. As part of her doctoral program in missional and spiritual formation, Mallory’s dissertation explored the impact of sexual trauma on survivors’ theological perception and spiritual formation—an inquiry that continues to inform her work at every turn. In all her work, Mallory creates spaces and content that help people access themselves and their spirituality with curiosity, honesty, and courage. She lives with her husband, daughters, and a million retirees in St.Petersburg, Florida.