From Medicine to Ministry with Hospital Chaplain Christine Davies

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In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Christine Davies about the journey from aspiring physician to hospital chaplain, and how living with epilepsy reshaped her personal and professional life. Christine joins the show from Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The audience will enjoy insights on medical advocacy, faith, self-care, and how adversity can guide us to new callings.

The Rev. Christine Vaughan Davies is an ordained Presbyterian Minister, ACPE Certified Educator, seminary professor and trained Spiritual Director. She runs the Spiritual Care Department at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. She lives with her family on a small farm in New Jersey and spends her time chasing chickens and chauffeuring her school-aged children to all their activities.

Main Topics Covered:

1. Facing medical gaslighting and learning self-advocacy through epilepsy diagnosis.
2. Differentiating spirituality and organized religion, and healing after negative religious experiences.
3. The emotional toll of pursuing difficult diagnoses and supporting loved ones through health uncertainty.
4. How changing career paths—EMT, medicine, therapy, social work—clarified Christine’s desire to help others deeply and holistically.
5. Lessons from life transitions, "dark night of the soul," and adapting to new normals after illness or loss.
6. The role and misconceptions of chaplains in hospital settings, plus Christine’s approach to soulful self-care.
7. How witnessing life’s toughest moments inspired her writing, teaching, and advanced care work.
8. The importance of advance directives and having crucial conversations about health care decisions.
9. Practical wisdom for balancing demanding caregiving/healing professions and personal mental health.

Quote from the Episode: “One of the things that I would encourage your listeners...and it became true for me from the diagnosis, is learning to trust your own body. And I sometimes tell my patients this. You know your body better than anyone else, so if something feels off for you, you are the expert.” — Christine Davies

Timestamps: [00:00:05] Welcome & intros; Christine’s Jersey roots and hobby farm living

[00:01:24] Becoming a hospital chaplain: Early dreams in medicine and EMT experience

[00:04:04] The challenge & relief of epilepsy diagnosis; struggles with medical advocacy

[00:06:10] Types of seizures and impact on daily life, plus career pivots

[00:08:16] Persistence through the medical system; supporting loved ones with diagnoses

[00:12:46] What spirituality means beyond religion; deconstructing harmful faith structures

[00:16:07] Experiencing the “dark night of the soul” amidst health crisis

[00:18:41] Exploring therapy, social work, and ultimately chaplaincy—making tough choices

[00:21:29] Navigating career decisions & backup plans; learning through each transition

[00:22:05] Misconceptions around hospital chaplains; teaching, internships, and finding her calling

[00:25:34] Maintaining emotional balance in high stress roles; soulful self-care and nature on the farm

[00:28:09] Lessons from witnessing grief and death, and why sharing stories matters

[00:30:05] Advance care planning and having tough conversations with family

[00:32:15] Christine’s private practice and working as a spiritual director

[00:32:56] Rapid-fire questions: favorite pizza, rainy day relaxation, and parenting hacks

[00:35:06] Closing gratitude and where to find Christine’s free spiritual practices offer

ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: www.christinevdavies.com

GET CHRISTINE'S SPECIAL OFFER: 5 simple spiritual practices you can do today - download https://www.christinevdavies.com/gift

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