Identity Work

Ep 68 | When Pain Changes Who You Are

2026-06-26

What happens when pain keeps you from doing the things that make you feel like yourself? After reinjuring his back and barely sleeping for six weeks, Adam wrestles with losing his ability to work out, focus, write, and be present.

Adam and Stephen discuss how health shapes identity, why “my identity is in Christ” can feel abstract, and what it means to be loved when you do not feel like yourself.

Takeaways

You often do not realize something is part of your identity until you lose it. Working out, waking up early, writing, and being present felt like habits. When pain took them away, Adam felt like he had lost parts of himself.Pain affects more than your body. It consumes attention, sleep, energy, patience, and your ability to engage with the people and work you care about.Being loved is a more tangible way to understand identity in Christ. God’s affection does not change based on Adam’s productivity, discipline, health, or ability to show up as his best self.Pain can deepen empathy. Experiencing constant pain helped Adam understand why people with chronic pain talk about it often. It may not be the only thing happening in their lives, but it can become the loudest.Asking someone how they are doing matters. Friends, family members, and coworkers could not fix Adam’s back, but remembering his pain and following up made him feel seen and cared for.

Chapters

00:00 - Welcome03:35 - The Night That Led Adam to Write04:53 - Herniating and Reinjuring a Disc09:23 - When Health Interrupts Meaningful Work09:56 - Losing the Habits That Made Adam Feel Like Himself12:06 - Is Your Identity Really in Christ?16:18 - Being Loved When You Are Not Productive18:20 - Health Is Wealth22:33 - What Pain Teaches Us About Empathy25:45 - Walking, Movement, and Doing What You Can27:07 - Trend Spotter: AI Regulation and Model Fusion32:30 - The World Cup and Singing Country Roads35:41 - Closing Reflection

Listener Reflection: What is one physical thing your body allows you to do that you rarely stop to appreciate?

Número de episodios

52

Último episodio

2025-11-18

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The podcast for high achievers who seem to have it all, yet still feel something’s missing. Co-hosts Stephen and Adam bring humor, honesty, and a touch of mid-life wisdom to conversations about how work shapes our sense of self, and how we can reshape it to find greater meaning in work and life.

With careers spanning consulting, private equity, start-ups, and entrepreneurship, they share research-backed insights and real-world stories that help uncover new ways to drive more meaning each day. We’re excited to have you join us on this journey!