PODCAST: Season 6, Episode 47
Grab your coffee and join me for this deeply moving conversation with David Linaker – a man who’s mastered the art of pivoting without losing his soul. From ordained clergy to celebrant, coach, and author, David shares how he’s navigated life’s biggest transitions by staying anchored to his core essence. We dive into grief work, inner child healing, and why your 7-year-old might be grabbing the steering wheel more than you realize!
Key Topics Covered
In this soul-stirring episode, we explore:
The Art of Authentic Pivoting
- How David defines a pivot as “moving around a still point” – your essence
- Why he still considers himself a priest despite no longer believing in God
- The difference between changing what you do vs. changing who you are
- Moving from controlling everything in clergy to adapting in the commercial wedding world
Holding Space in Grief and Loss
- How David becomes “the safe person in the room” during funerals
- Why grief strips your mask off and leaves you “naked in the public square”
- The two patterns he sees: those who engage vs. those who armor up
- Wrapping “the arms of your soul” around people in pain
Powerful Inner Child Work
- How childhood trauma (especially ages 7 and 13-14) drives adult behavior
- David’s guided meditation technique for reconnecting with your younger self
- The Viktor Frankl gap: creating space between stimulus and response
- Why your inner child might be “grabbing the steering wheel” during triggers
From Spiritual Service to Business Reality
- The challenge of pricing in spiritual/wellness spaces (hello, inner child pricing fears!)
- Using AI tools like ChatGPT to nail your niche and messaging
- TikTok as David’s modern “pulpit” for sharing wisdom
- The difference between being “nice” (no boundaries) vs. “kind” (healthy boundaries)
Featured Story Breakdown
The Teenage Trauma Healing David shares the profound story of working with a client in her 60s who experienced rape as a teenager, compounded by her mother’s damaging response. Through guided meditation in her “happy place” – lying in grass watching clouds – she reconnected with and began healing her 15-year-old self. The process involved daily meditation over weeks, gradually building a relationship between her adult and teenage selves.
The Ontology Revolution David’s realization that “unless you’ve got form right, function always clunks” – meaning unless what you do grows from who you truly are, it will feel horrible and you won’t do it well. This insight transformed how he approaches both his own pivots and his client work.
Resources Mentioned
- David’s book: “Soulful Awakening” – accessing human wisdom without dogma
- Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” and the stimulus-response gap
- ChatGPT for business strategy and niche development
- TikTok Studio for content analytics
- Human Design reading (David is a 5/2 Generator)
- Zen retreat experiences for deep self-discovery
Let’s Connect!
Website: https://www.davidlinaker.com/life-after-religion
Books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B0DY8D1RD7
TikTok: @davidlinaker_spiritstory
Want to dive deeper into this conversation? Come find me on Instagram @mills_gray and share your thoughts – I love hearing how these episodes land with you!
Take Action
- Try David’s inner child meditation: Go to your happy place and invite your younger self to join you
- Examine your business through the “form vs. function” lens – are you operating from your true essence?
- Notice when your inner child might be “grabbing the steering wheel” in triggering situations
- Use the Viktor Frankl gap technique: create space between stimulus and response
Remember
As David beautifully puts it: “You can mine the wonderful treasure trove of human wisdom, which is yours by your birthright, without having to sign up to creeds and doctrines.” Your essence is your anchor – pivot around it, never away from it.
This episode contains discussions of trauma, including sexual assault. Please take care of yourself while listening.