When You Can’t Fix It: Presence, Identity, and the Gift of Listening

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In this heartfelt and deeply reflective conversation, Elliot Sands sits down with Jenn Suen Chen, spiritual director, leadership coach, and author of Dim Sum and Faith. They explore the power of tables to create belonging, what it’s like to grow up between cultures, how long-term suffering shapes faith, and the lifelong challenge of asking for help. Jenn shares her family’s story of faith, resilience, and hospitality—and how her husband’s ongoing cancer journey revealed God’s presence in silence and need. They also talk parenting, adult children, people-pleasing vs. servant-heartedness, and what it really means to listen well.

This is a rich, vulnerable, and hope-filled episode with laughter, wisdom, and stories that will linger.

Jenn Suen Chen is a spiritual director, leadership coach, and the author of Dim Sum and Faith: How Our Stories Form Our Souls. A first-generation daughter of Chinese immigrants, Jenn served overseas for more than 20 years and is now companioning leaders, families, and individuals as they navigate the intersection of faith, identity, and resilience. She is passionate about hospitality, silence, the ministry of listening, and reclaiming wholeness in an emotionally scattered world.

Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.

Connect with Jenn Suen Chen

Website: https://www.jennsuenchen.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennsuenchen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennsuenchen

Book: https://www.ivpress.com/dim-sum-and-faith

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