This Undivided Life
This Undivided Life
This Undivided Life
This Undivided Life Podcast will give you real advice to help make life whole again. Join Troy Mclaughlin, co-host Scott Perkins and guests as we talk real life. We bypass simple platitudes and the generic “just love yourself” gibberish, and dive headlong into the challenges pulling us a million different directions. Life is fractured; from your calendars chocked full of commitments, to the black hole of entertainment in the palm of your hand, and the constant buzz of iPhone alerts. For most of us, the hum of anxiety is always present. You struggle to keep up with life’s frenetic pace, social media’s comparison game, or the far-fetched promises of our consumer culture. You feel divided, out of sorts, maybe even broken because of past experiences. Here’s the good news, we’ll talk about ways to combat those feelings; things you can do, habits to break or create, and practices to put in place. If you’re looking for gurus, quick fixes, or hacks, this is not the show for you. If you’re looking for fellow sojourners, people on a similar journey, you’ve found your show.
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Sept. 15, 2026

The Wisdom of Sleep: Brett McCracken #243

The Wisdom of Sleep: Brett McCracken #243
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Season 7

In this episode, Brett McCracken author of The Wisdom of Sleep: How Rest Reveals God's Truth and Revives Weary Souls,discusses how sleep and rest are vital for living an attentive, undivided life. He explores the spiritual and practical benefits of rest, the importance of recognizing our limits, and how sleep impacts our relationships and spiritual well-being.

Brett McCracken is a senior editor for The Gospel Coalition and a leading voice at the intersection of faith, culture, and the arts.

For two decades he has written articles and books that have helped Christians love the church, understand cultural trends, and engage the arts with thoughtful appreciation and biblical discernment. In recent years his focus has been on how the digital age shapes souls and erodes wisdom. This emphasis began with his influential 2021 book, The Wisdom Pyramid, followed by a co-edited project in 2025, Scrolling Ourselves to Death. His newest book, The Wisdom of Sleep(Zondervan Reflective, 2026), doubles as a theological reflection on rest and a critique of our optimization-obsessed technological moment.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The harmony of work and rest
02:14 The spiritual significance of gratitude and everyday moments
05:08 The wisdom of recognizing human limits and God's sovereignty
07:55 The biblical foundation for wisdom and humility
12:01 Sleep's impact on emotional health and relationships
15:05 Living undivided: Presence, attention, and community
17:46 The importance of margin and intentionality in life
22:03 Digital distraction, sleep, and the modern challenge
26:08 The beauty of uncontrollable moments and divine gifts
30:09 Practicing gratitude and trust in God's provision
33:53 Trusting God's sovereignty and living with limits
38:12 The power of small moments and everyday wonder
43:10 Parenthood, presence, and the gift of time
47:49 Seizing grace and living in the moment
51:46 The importance of rest for serving others
56:01 The harmony of work, rest, and divine design
59:00 Conclusion: Living an integrated, undivided life