Living Quadratos

Living Quadratos

By Alexander John ShaiaReligion & Spirituality
Download on the App Store

Living Quadratos episodes

  • Episode 18: Darkness Is the Beginning - Always

    What if the changing seasons are telling us something about our own souls?

    In this week's conversation, Alexander John and Bron explore the ancient rhythms connecting the earth, the original Christian story, and our own inner lives.

    Yes - it's ALL connected.

    From the darkness of the winter to the solstice to the first returning light, nature has MUCH to teach us about endings, beginnings, and the mystery of becoming.

    Perhaps darkness isn't something to escape, but a sacred place that's calling us to the very ground from which new radiance is born.

    --

    Quadratos Christian Year Calendars: https://www.quadratos.org/shop/posters/

    Get THE book: Returning From Camino on Audible and on Amazon.  And paperback is in English, Spanish and German editions - https://a.co/d/08WWzMl0

    Quadratos: https://www.quadratos.org/ 

    Online Learning Offerings: https://learning4.quadratos.org

    Easter Retreat Recordings Remain Available (four, far different reflections on passages from Gospel of John)  https://learning4.quadratos.org/courses/easter-retreat-2026 

    The Map: https://www.quadratos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Quadratos-MAP.pdf 

    Bi-Weekly Notes from Alexander John's Desk: https://www.quadratos.org/subscribe/ 

    Join a Group / Community: https://www.quadratos.org/join-a-group/ 

    Book: Heart and Mind: https://www.quadratos.org/shop/books/ 

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

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

    52 min
  • Episode 17: What No One Teaches You – The Journey AFTER the Journey

    What happens when we return home from an experience that has changed us?

    In this episode, Alexander John and Bron explore the overlooked experience of coming home after pilgrimage, after grief, after loss, after illness or any life altering experience. In our culture, returning home is just assumed. But oh no! Together, they speak to both the outer and inner experience of returning, the importance of trusted companions, and the small “star” of possibility waiting just ahead.  And the book, “Returning From Camino” has just been released on Audible to accompany the paperback that is in English, German and Spanish. 

    We invite you to join us at our table of friendship - we've saved a spot for you.

    --

    Get THE book: Returning From Camino on Audible and on Amazon.  And paperback is in English, Spanish and German editions - https://a.co/d/08WWzMl0

    Quadratos: https://www.quadratos.org/ 

    Online Learning Offerings: https://learning4.quadratos.org

    The Map: https://www.quadratos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Quadratos-MAP.pdf 

    Bi-Weekly Notes from Alexander John's Desk: https://www.quadratos.org/subscribe/ 

    Join a Group / Community: https://www.quadratos.org/join-a-group/ 

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

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

    50 min
  • Episode 16: What Season Are You In?

    What season are you in?

    Not the season outside your window, BUT the season that's quietly moving within you?

    In this episode of "Living Quadratos", Brown Thoroughgood and Alexander John Shaia explore the inner seasons of our lives and the ever-changing rhythm of Quadratos. Just as the natural world moves through autumn, winter, spring, and summer, so our inner lives move through these very same seasons.

    Unlike the seasons on a calendar, however, our inner seasons can shift from moment to moment. We might experience winter in one part of our lives while another part is blossoming like springtime.

    Through the simple rituals of sunset and sunrise Alexander John helps us reflect on the movement between radiance and darkness and the way each gives birth to the other.

    Yes.

    Perhaps the goal isn't to cling to the light or resist the dark, but to trust the turning itself because winter does not remain winter, nor summer remain summer.

    --

    Quadratos: https://www.quadratos.org/ 

    Online Learning Offerings: https://learning4.quadratos.org

    Easter Retreat Recordings Remain Available (four, far different reflections on passages from Gospel of John)  https://learning4.quadratos.org/courses/easter-retreat-2026 

    The Map: https://www.quadratos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Quadratos-MAP.pdf 

    Bi-Weekly Notes from Alexander John's Desk: https://www.quadratos.org/subscribe/ 

    Join a Group / Community: https://www.quadratos.org/join-a-group/ 

    Book: Heart and Mind: https://www.quadratos.org/shop/books/ 

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

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

    43 min
  • Episode 15: What Most Do Not Know

    Most – and that includes almost everyone – do not know that the Gospels were formed by a pattern that is beneath everything.  Scholars don’t know.  Theologians don’t know.  Ministers don’t know.  Join us as we re-discover what has lain hidden for some 1,400 years.  The Gospels are not simply stories about something that happened two thousand years ago, but a living map of what is happening inside of every one of us on the planet - right now?

    In this episode of the Living Quadratos Podcast, Alexander John Shaia and Brown Thoroughgood explore what it means to encounter the Gospels as a living, universal pattern rather than simply historical accounts of Jesus.

    Our conversation begins with a surprisingly personal question of who gets to decide whether someone is “Christian enough” and moves deeper into the meaning of The Christos and the idea that beneath the familiar words of Christianity lies something much larger and personal ... something that is true for us all.

    Join us for this conversation about the mystery beneath what we think we already know. 

    Quadratos: https://www.quadratos.org/ 

    Online Learning Offerings: https://learning4.quadratos.org

    Easter Retreat Recordings Remain Available (four, far different reflections on passages from Gospel of John)  https://learning4.quadratos.org/courses/easter-retreat-2026 

    The Map: https://www.quadratos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Quadratos-MAP.pdf 

    Bi-Weekly Notes from Alexander John's Desk: https://www.quadratos.org/subscribe/ 

    Join a Group / Community: https://www.quadratos.org/join-a-group/ 

    Book: Heart and Mind: https://www.quadratos.org/shop/books/ 

    Book: Returning From Camino (now on Audible!): https://a.co/d/03HE2zL8 

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

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

    45 min
  • Episode 14: Living in Awe - Can We Feel It?

    What does it mean to live with an open heart when the world around us feels so closed?

    In this episode of Living Quadratos, Alexander John Shaia and Brown Thoroughgood return to their table of friendship with a conversation about awe, presence, and the mysterious promise that is woven through our days - even the most difficult of times.

    Together they explore Mary’s ancient prayer - not simply as a prayer to be memorized and recited, but as a practice of remembering what is already unfolding even when we cannot yet see how or when.

    Perhaps, then, the invitation is not to fix everything or to carry the weight of the future ourselves, but to remain present in whatever moment we are in - to the person in front of us in line at the grocery story, to the beauty around us, and to the quiet mystery of what is actually becoming - even when we fear all is lost.

    Quadratos: https://www.quadratos.org/ 

    Seasonal Retreats: https://learning4.quadratos.org/courses/q-seasonal-retreats

    Online Learning Offerings: https://learning4.quadratos.org

    Easter Retreat Recordings Remain Available (four, far different reflections on passages from Gospel of John)  https://learning4.quadratos.org/courses/easter-retreat-2026 

    The Map: https://www.quadratos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Quadratos-MAP.pdf 

    Bi-Weekly Notes from Alexander John's Desk: https://www.quadratos.org/subscribe/ 

    Join a Group / Community: https://www.quadratos.org/join-a-group/ 

    Book: Heart and Mind: https://www.quadratos.org/shop/books/ 

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

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

    45 min
  • Episode 13: The Power of Art, Earth & Community

    This week Bron and Alexander John sit down with Ally Markotich - a talented artist and poet who also co-leads our Seasonal Retreats with Alexander John. In this conversation she shares about her journey with Quadratos and how art and creativity are intricate parts of her spiritual journey.

    We've saved a spot for you at our table - enjoy!   Don’t forget – our next series of Seasonal Retreats begins soon – Friday 21 August – Saturday 22 August in New Zealand & Australia.  Register Here: https://learning4.quadratos.org/courses/q-seasonal-retreats

    SHOW NOTES:

    Ally Markotich: https://www.soulkindling.com

    Soul Kindling: https://www.soulkindling.com/book-details

    Quadratos: https://www.quadratos.org/ 

    Christmas Episode w/ Rob Bell - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-robcast/id956742638?i=1000364836662

    Online Learning Offerings: https://learning4.quadratos.org

    Easter Retreat Recordings Remain Available (four, far different reflections on passages from Gospel of John)  https://learning4.quadratos.org/courses/easter-retreat-2026 

    The Map: https://www.quadratos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Quadratos-MAP.pdf 

    Bi-Weekly Notes from Alexander John's Desk: https://www.quadratos.org/subscribe/ 

    Join a Group / Community: https://www.quadratos.org/join-a-group/ 

    Book: Heart and Mind: https://www.quadratos.org/shop/books/ 

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

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

    53 min
  • Episode 12: Were We Ever Separated from God? Did We Need Jesus?

    In this episode Bron Thoroughgood and Alexander John Shaia discuss questions sent in from a listener. Thank you, Terry!  She asked us to speak to the messages many of us were given about God as we grew up. Messages such as we are separate from God, that we are bad and that Jesus/Yeshua had to die for our sins etc.

    Then we reflect on Theosis – a far different message that was the taproot of Christians in the first 400 years of Christianity. Theosis is a vital message that brings the Ancient Christian Story to New Life.

    Join us at the table - we have saved a space for you!

    SHOW NOTES:

    Quadratos: https://www.quadratos.org/ 

    Online Learning Offerings: https://learning4.quadratos.org

    Easter Retreat Recordings Remain Available (reflections on key passages from Gospel of John)  https://learning4.quadratos.org/courses/easter-retreat-2026 

    The Map: https://www.quadratos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Quadratos-MAP.pdf 

    Bi-Weekly Notes from Alexander John's Desk: https://www.quadratos.org/subscribe/ 

    Join a Group / Community: https://www.quadratos.org/join-a-group/ 

    Book: Heart and Mind: https://www.quadratos.org/shop/books/ 

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

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

    44 min
  • Episode 11: Helping Young People Discover Belonging and Hope

    We are joined this week by Dom Fay, a secondary/high school chaplain in Brisbane, Australia. Dom is also a stand-up comic, sportscaster and co-host of “On The Way” podcast. In our conversation, Dom Fay shares how he takes his students on ‘Wilderness Retreats’ using Quadratos’ understanding of the rhythms of nature to help his students discover belonging, meaning, and hope.  If you work with young people in any way – don’t miss this conversation.

    SHOW NOTES:

    Christmas Episode w/ Rob Bell on the Robcast (12.21.2015) - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-robcast/id956742638?i=1000364836662

    Quadratos: https://www.quadratos.org/ 

    Online Learning Offerings: https://learning4.quadratos.org

    Easter Retreat Recordings Remain Available (four, cosmic reflections on passages from Gospel of John)  https://learning4.quadratos.org/courses/easter-retreat-2026 

    The Map: https://www.quadratos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Quadratos-MAP.pdf 

    Bi-Weekly Notes from Alexander John's Desk: https://www.quadratos.org/subscribe/ 

    Join a Group / Community: https://www.quadratos.org/join-a-group/ 

    Book: Heart and Mind: https://www.quadratos.org/shop/books/ 

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

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

    47 min
  • Episode 10: This Might Change How You See Everything

    In this conversation, Bron Thoroughgood and Alexander John Shaia explore one of the most powerful yet overlooked spiritual practices: engaging with beauty and awe. From orchids to sunsets, they reflect on how wonder doesn’t erase pain but helps us make space to be with it. And then ultimately, a miracle happens. For awe - even in the midst of a fractured world – helps us re-discover joy.

     

    Pull up a chair, we've saved a spot for you at our table.

     

    SHOW NOTES:

     

    Quadratos: https://www.quadratos.org/ 

     

    Heart & Mind Information Meeting (happening May 17): https://learning4.quadratos.org/live-webinar/heart-and-mind-circle-information-session-may26/register

     

    Online Learning Offerings: https://learning4.quadratos.org

     

    Easter Retreat Recordings Remain Available (four, far different reflections on passages from Gospel of John)  https://learning4.quadratos.org/courses/easter-retreat-2026 

     

    The Map: https://www.quadratos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Quadratos-MAP.pdf 

     

    Bi-Weekly Notes from Alexander John's Desk: https://www.quadratos.org/subscribe/ 

     

    Join a Group / Community: https://www.quadratos.org/join-a-group/ 

     

    Book: Heart and Mind: https://www.quadratos.org/shop/books/ 

     

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

     

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

    43 min
  • Episode 9: More Than Religion, Being Held in We-ness

    What happens when we are truly seen, heard, and held in a shared space? In this week's conversation, Bron and Alexander John are joined by Interspiritual Minister Jeanelyse Doran from California. Together the three of us explore the type of depth transformation that takes place through presence, listening, and the profound rhythm that connects us - to ourselves, to one another, to the Cosmos and something greater than we could ever imagine.  Jeanelyse is also one of our Facilitators for Quadratos’ Foundational Program: The Four-Gospel Journey.”

     

    Take a seat and join us at the table, like, share and comment.  You are welcome!

     

    SHOW NOTES:

     

    Quadratos: https://www.quadratos.org/ 

     

    The Four-Gospel Journey Program beginning in mid-May:  https://learning4.quadratos.org/courses/4gjp-p-jan26-cg

     

    Easter Retreat Recordings Remain Available (far different reflection on passages from Gospel of John)  https://learning4.quadratos.org/courses/easter-retreat-2026 

     

    The Map: https://www.quadratos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Quadratos-MAP.pdf 

     

    Bi-Weekly Notes from Alexander John's Desk: https://www.quadratos.org/subscribe/ 

     

    Join a Group / Community: https://www.quadratos.org/join-a-group/ 

     

    Book: Heart and Mind: https://www.quadratos.org/shop/books/ 

     

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

     

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

    42 min

About Living Quadratos

From the publisher's feed

As the Four-Gospel Journey of Quadratos gains global attention and breathes new life into the ancient Christian story, people everywhere are becoming increasingly eager to learn more. Specifically, how can we truly embrace and practically live out the core messages of early Christianity?  In what ways can we apply Quadratos in our everyday lives?