Big Fish, Little Pod

Today's episode is a bit different than normal: it's an imperfect, unedited conversation about the murder of George Floyd. As we talked today, Amy and I definitely didn't have all the answers, but we shared our thoughts and challenged each other's perspectives. We hope that while clearly imperfect, our conversation shows how important it is to not remain silent. If you listen, we encourage you to listen through to the end.

What some of us thought was going to be a quarantine sprint has turned into a quarantine marathon. Without access to our usual self-care routines and stress-relievers, tensions are running high and we're beginning to tire out. Rather than becoming frustrated with ourselves and critical of others, this is the perfect opportunity for a little grace. Grace for the situation, grace for those around us, and most importantly grace for ourselves.

So many of us walk around feeling as if we don't belong, like we're the exception, like we're the impostor. This is especially prevalent in spiritual circles where people are afraid of being shamed for not toeing the line. So what happens when we pull back the curtain and see that we're actually one of many who feel this exact same way? Amy and Bob discuss how that has been for them over these past few weeks.

This week Bob and Amy welcome another guest to Big Fish, Little Pod: Rebecca Green! Becca was living and working in Colorado when Covid-19 hit, causing her to change jobs from a substitute teacher to a caregiver at an assisted living facility that is experiencing a Coronavirus outbreak. Becca shares that experience as well as her inspiring journey of faith.

In times of stress, we often have strong knee-jerk reactions to things that hurt or upset us. But if instead we stop, take a breath, and respond from a place of right-mindedness, we can remain neutral and usually create a better result. Amy and Bob discuss how this seems simple in principle, but can be challenging in practice.

We were so happy to welcome Neil Slader, a longtime family friend, to the podcast this week! Neil shares his spiritual journey with us, going from a fourth generation New England Baptist to a spiritual seeker connecting in his own way.

Many spiritual traditions emphasize the importance of inner strength and balance, but is it really possible to create a feeling of ease during life's most stressful moments? Bob and Amy discuss how searching for moments of calm could help us through this challenging time.

As we settle into this strange new reality, we are experiencing the painful challenges alongside the relieving moments of connection. As a new shelter-in-place habit of Amy's reminds us, it's always darkest before the dawn. As we move into what may be the darkest weeks of this pandemic, we hope to remind each other that the dawn will eventually come, even when we can't yet see the light. 

This week, Bob and Amy welcome their first guest ever: Andrew Hollis! Bob's son Andrew shares the evolution of spirituality in his own life and where it has lead him to today.

Because of the coronavirus outbreak, many of us now find ourselves home from school and work, self-isolating and social distancing. We can use this time to spiral into fear, lounge on the couch in our sweats, or bicker with our isolation crew. Or, as Bob proposes, we can see this time as a sabbath: a chance to refresh, reflect, and renew as we take advantage of this opportunity to grow creatively and spiritually.