Encountering Silence

By Cassidy Hall, Kevin Johnson, Carl McColman

Religion & Spirituality Spirituality Christianity

What's Encountering Silence about?

Explore the beauty, importance, and vitality of silence, as we explore the spirituality, psychology, and sheer humanity of silence. Subscribe to the podcast through Amazon, Google, or your favorite podcast subscription site. If you enjoy the podcast, please share us with your friends — and please support us through Patreon.

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Encountering Silence episodes:

01.16.2024
Ashe Van Steenwyk: Silence, Queer Spirituality, and the Prophetic Imagination
A conversation with Maki Ashe Van Steenwyk, author and excecutive director of the Minneapolis-based Center for the Prophetic Imagination.
03.06.2023
Kaira Jewel Lingo: We Were Made for These Times
A conversation with Buddhist author and former nun Kaira Jewel Lingo.
11.16.2022
Joy A. Schroeder: Encountering the Silenced Voices of Women Biblical Interpreters
A conversation with Dr. Joy Schroeder, co-author of "Voices Long Silenced"
08.21.2022
Carmen Acevedo Butcher: Encountering Silence in the Presence of God
We speak with noted contemplative translator Carmen Acevedo Butcher on the occasion of her latest mystical translation: Brother Lawrence's "Practice of the Presence."
06.03.2022
Encountering Silence with Sister Joyce Rupp
A conversation with Servite Sister Joyce Rupp, author of many books including "Return to the Root: Reflections on the Inner Life."
04.11.2022
Sarah Lund: Silence in Teen and Child Mental Health
The Reverend Sarah Lund returns to Encountering Silence to share with us insights from her latest book, "Blessed Youth."
11.09.2021
The Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis: Encountering Silence in Fierce Love
A conversation with noted author and activist Jacqui Lewis to celebrate the publication of "Fierce Love."
10.14.2021
Nikki Grimes: Encountering Glory, and Silence, in the Margins
A conversation with award-winning poet and children's author Nikki Grimes.
08.26.2021
Amy Frykholm: Encountering the Wilderness of Silence
A conversation with contemplative author Dr. Amy Frykholm, whose books include "Wild Woman" and "Julian of Norwich: A Contemplative Biography."
07.12.2021
Kevin Quashie: The Aesthetics and Poesis of Silence
Interview with contemplative scholar Dr. Kevin Quashie (Brown University).
06.09.2021
Maisie Sparks: Enjoying God in the Silence
A conversation with spiritual director and author Maisie Sparks (Holy Shakespeare, Christmas Quiet).
05.05.2021
Encountering a New Silence with Dr. Beverly Lanzetta
A conversation with visionary contemplative author Dr. Beverly Lanzetta, author of "A New Silence."
04.02.2021
Sophfronia Scott: Silence, the Seeker, and the Monk
Sophfronia Scott speaks to Encountering Silence about her latest book, in which she explores her interest in the Trappist monk Thomas Merton.
03.17.2021
Barbara Brown Taylor: Silence, Vulnerability, and Love (Part Two)
Part Two of Our Episode with New York Times bestselling author Barbara Brown Taylor, author of "When God is Silent" and many other books.
03.09.2021
Barbara Brown Taylor: Silence, Vulnerability, and Love (Part One)
Part one of our two-part conversation with New York Times bestselling author Barbara Brown Taylor.
02.25.2021
Encountering Silence and Contemplating Now
In today's episode of Encountering Silence, we visit co-host Cassidy Hall's new podcast, Contemplating Now: A Podcast Exploring the Intersection of Contemplation and Social Justice. Join us as we listen to wisdom from previous Encountering Silence guest, Therese Taylor-Stinson: spiritual...
02.16.2021
Silence in Sound: A Collection of Ambient Field Recordings
A collection of ambient field recordings from birds to surf to wind. Listen to how subtle nature is, and listen for the silence in the sound.
02.03.2021
Sarah Griffith Lund: Silence, Marriage and Mental Health (Part Two)
The conclusion of our conversation with Pastor Sarah Griffith Lund.
01.26.2021
Sarah Griffith Lund: Silence, Marriage and Mental Heath (Part One)
Pastor and mental health advocate Sarah Griffith Lund returns to Encountering Silence.
01.12.2021
Patrick Shen: Silence and the Dawn Chorus
Our good friend Patrick Shen returns to tell us about his latest project, "The Dawn Chorus."
01.05.2021
Kaya Oakes, Silence, the Body, and Women Mystics (Part Two)
The conclusion of our conversation with writer Kaya Oakes.
12.29.2020
Kaya Oakes, Silence, the Body, and Women Mystics (Part One)
The first part of our two-part conversation with author Kaya Oakes.
12.08.2020
Zenju Earthlyn Manuel: Silence, Ritual, and the Earth (Part Two)
The conclusion of our conversation with Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, Zen priest, author, and poet.
12.01.2020
Zenju Earthlyn Manuel: Silence, Ritual, and the Earth (Part One)
Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, Zen priest, author, and poet, joins us for this first part of a two-part conversation.
11.17.2020
Emilie Townes: Silence, Storytelling, and Womanist Thought (Part Two)
Our conversation with Dean Emilie M. Townes concludes.
11.10.2020
Emilie Townes: Silence, Storytelling, and Womanist Thought (Part One)
Part one of a two-part interview with Womanist theologian Emilie M. Townes.
11.03.2020
Marie Howe: Silence and the Depth of Poetry (Part Two)
The conclusion of our conversation with poet Marie Howe.
10.27.2020
Marie Howe: Silence and the Depth of Poetry (Part One)
The first part of our conversation with Marie Howe, former poet laureate of New York.
10.20.2020
Cynthia Bourgeault: Silence and the Imaginal Realm (Part Two)
Part Two of Our 2020 Conversation with Cynthia Bourgeault.
10.13.2020
Cynthia Bourgeault: Silence and the Imaginal Realm (Part One)
Cynthia Bourgeault returns to Encountering Silence to discuss her new book, Eye of the Heart. Part one of a two-part interview.
10.06.2020
Rick Hanson: Silence, Buddhism and the Brain
A conversation with New York Times bestselling author Rick Hanson, PhD.
09.29.2020
Jim Forest: Silence, Protest, and Radical Love (Part Two)
We conclude our conversation with returning guest, author/biographer/peacemaker Jim Forest.
09.22.2020
Jim Forest: Silence, Protest, and Radical Love (Part One)
Part 1 of our conversation with returning guest Jim Forest: noted author, biographer, peacemaker, and friend.
09.15.2020
Paul Quenon, OCSO: Silence, Poetry and Monastic Wisdom (Part Two)
Brother Paul Quenon, OCSO, concludes his conversation with us recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic.
09.09.2020
Paul Quenon, OCSO: Silence, Poetry and Monastic Wisdom (Part One)
Br. Paul Quenon, OCSO, Trappist monk, poet, and photographerm, returns to share his humble, joyful wisdom.
08.18.2020
Dr. Leah Gunning Francis: Silence, Ferguson, and Faith (Part Two)
Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Leah Gunning Francis.
08.03.2020
Dr. Leah Gunning Francis: Silence, Ferguson, and Faith (Part One)
Part one of our conversation with Dr. Leah Gunning Francis, author of "Ferguson and Faith."
07.20.2020
Sarah Lund: Silence and Mental Health in the Church (Part Two)
The conclusion of our interview with Dr. Sarah Lund.
07.06.2020
Sarah Lund: Silence and Mental Illness in the Church (Part One)
Sarah Griffith Lund shares her expertise on mental health issues concerning the clergy. First of two parts.
06.22.2020
Kaitlin Curtice: Silence, Faith, and Indigenous Culture (Part Two)
The conclusion of our interview with author Kaitlin B. Curtice.
06.16.2020
Kaitlin Curtice: Silence, Faith, and Indigenous Culture (Part One)
Kaitlin B. Curtice is the author of Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God. Part 1 of a 2-part interview.
06.09.2020
Lerita Coleman Brown, PhD: Silence, the Disinherited, and the Wisdom of Howard Thurman for Our Time
Dr. Lerita Coleman Brown returns to the podcast to share more wisdom about Howard Thurman.
06.01.2020
Kerry Connelly: Silence, Privilege, and Dismantling Racism (Part Two)
This episode continues our conversation with blogger/activist Kerry Connelly.
05.25.2020
Kerry Connelly: Silence, Privilege, and Dismantling Racism (Part One)
Author Kerry Connelly discusses the silence embedded in white privilege and systemic racism. First of two parts.
05.21.2020
Kathleen Norris: Silence, Acedia, and Pandemic (Part Two)
The conclusion of Kathleen Norris's second conversation with Encountering Silence.
05.11.2020
Kathleen Norris: Silence, Acedia, and Pandemic (Part One)
Our returning guest, Kathleen Norris, is an award-winning poet, writer, and author of numerous books.
04.22.2020
In Pursuit of Silence, Earth Day, and the Dawn Chorus (Episode 98)
Patrick Shen returns to the podcast to talk about Earth Day, filmaking, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
04.20.2020
Mike Morrell: Silence in the Divine Dance (Part Two)
The conclusion of our conversation with author and visionary Mike Morrell.
04.16.2020
Mike Morrell: Silence in the Divine Dance (Part One)
Mike Morrell, who co-authored "The Divine Dance" with Richard Rohr, joins us to offer his insights into the spirituality of silence.
04.06.2020
Christine Valters Paintner: Wild Silence and the Cloister of the Earth (Part Two)
Our conversation with Christine Valters Paintner concludes with this episode.

What's Encountering Silence about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Encountering Silence episodes:

Ashe Van Steenwyk: Silence, Queer Spirituality, and the Prophetic Imagination

Kaira Jewel Lingo: We Were Made for These Times

Joy A. Schroeder: Encountering the Silenced Voices of Women Biblical Interpreters

Carmen Acevedo Butcher: Encountering Silence in the Presence of God

Encountering Silence with Sister Joyce Rupp

Sarah Lund: Silence in Teen and Child Mental Health

The Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis: Encountering Silence in Fierce Love

Nikki Grimes: Encountering Glory, and Silence, in the Margins

Amy Frykholm: Encountering the Wilderness of Silence

Kevin Quashie: The Aesthetics and Poesis of Silence

Maisie Sparks: Enjoying God in the Silence

Encountering a New Silence with Dr. Beverly Lanzetta

Sophfronia Scott: Silence, the Seeker, and the Monk

Barbara Brown Taylor: Silence, Vulnerability, and Love (Part Two)

Barbara Brown Taylor: Silence, Vulnerability, and Love (Part One)

Encountering Silence and Contemplating Now

Silence in Sound: A Collection of Ambient Field Recordings

Sarah Griffith Lund: Silence, Marriage and Mental Health (Part Two)

Sarah Griffith Lund: Silence, Marriage and Mental Heath (Part One)

Patrick Shen: Silence and the Dawn Chorus

Kaya Oakes, Silence, the Body, and Women Mystics (Part Two)

Kaya Oakes, Silence, the Body, and Women Mystics (Part One)

Zenju Earthlyn Manuel: Silence, Ritual, and the Earth (Part Two)

Zenju Earthlyn Manuel: Silence, Ritual, and the Earth (Part One)

Emilie Townes: Silence, Storytelling, and Womanist Thought (Part Two)

Emilie Townes: Silence, Storytelling, and Womanist Thought (Part One)

Marie Howe: Silence and the Depth of Poetry (Part Two)

Marie Howe: Silence and the Depth of Poetry (Part One)

Cynthia Bourgeault: Silence and the Imaginal Realm (Part Two)

Cynthia Bourgeault: Silence and the Imaginal Realm (Part One)

Rick Hanson: Silence, Buddhism and the Brain

Jim Forest: Silence, Protest, and Radical Love (Part Two)

Jim Forest: Silence, Protest, and Radical Love (Part One)

Paul Quenon, OCSO: Silence, Poetry and Monastic Wisdom (Part Two)

Paul Quenon, OCSO: Silence, Poetry and Monastic Wisdom (Part One)

Dr. Leah Gunning Francis: Silence, Ferguson, and Faith (Part Two)

Dr. Leah Gunning Francis: Silence, Ferguson, and Faith (Part One)

Sarah Lund: Silence and Mental Health in the Church (Part Two)

Sarah Lund: Silence and Mental Illness in the Church (Part One)

Kaitlin Curtice: Silence, Faith, and Indigenous Culture (Part Two)

Kaitlin Curtice: Silence, Faith, and Indigenous Culture (Part One)

Lerita Coleman Brown, PhD: Silence, the Disinherited, and the Wisdom of Howard Thurman for Our Time

Kerry Connelly: Silence, Privilege, and Dismantling Racism (Part Two)

Kerry Connelly: Silence, Privilege, and Dismantling Racism (Part One)

Kathleen Norris: Silence, Acedia, and Pandemic (Part Two)

Kathleen Norris: Silence, Acedia, and Pandemic (Part One)

In Pursuit of Silence, Earth Day, and the Dawn Chorus (Episode 98)

Mike Morrell: Silence in the Divine Dance (Part Two)

Mike Morrell: Silence in the Divine Dance (Part One)

Christine Valters Paintner: Wild Silence and the Cloister of the Earth (Part Two)