Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and Culture

Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and Culture

James Spencer

No Elevator to Everest: Self-Awareness, Joyful Work, and Ownership (Will Acuff)

September 8, 2025   ●   52 min

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Dr. James Spencer sits down with Will Acuff—author of No Elevator to Everest: Shift from Survive to Thrive through Spirit-Led Self-Awareness and cofounder of Corner to Corner (Nashville)—to explore how Christians can move from frantic survival to joyful, Spirit-led living. We talk practical rhythms (breathwork, journaling, contemplative prayer), why emotions are God-given “sensors,” and Will’s delete / delegate / do differently framework for designing your day. Will shares how Corner to Corner helps neighbors in historically low-income communities start and grow businesses because ownership ends poverty—with real stories of everyday entrepreneurs changing their families’ futures. We also press into discipleship that unites knowledge of God and knowledge of self, so our lives tune to the Spirit—and become life-giving to others.

Thinking Christian is hosted by Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center and author of Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press). Each conversation reads the Bible as the final authority for life and faith, questioning the assumptions of our culture, even our Christian culture, so that we don't settle for a narrower vision than God's word offers.

Unsettling convention. Cultivating conviction.
Episodes, articles, and questions: thinkingchristian.org
About James Spencer: thinkingchristian.org/james
The Thinking Christian Framework: thinkingchristian.org/framework
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To find out more about Corner to Corner visit: https://cornertocorner.org/team/will-acuff/

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