Loving the Imperfect

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Welcome to the first episode for Season Two of Loving the Imperfect, a show for seekers of deeper contemplation. I'm your host Brianne Turczynski. 

For 10 years, I've been studying offerings from holy teachers and holy texts. I'm a journalist who has listened to the stories of many people throughout the years, and I continue to be captivated by the stories of how God touches the lives of us ordinary people, how God nudges and directs us, either by closing doors or opening them, making the mystery of coincidence, more of a mystery. So, join me as we listen to these extraordinary stories and become witnesses to the truth of Love. 

Today's episode we will be talking to Rad Jones. Rad Jones is a member of St. Philip's Episcopal Church. He started his career as a police officer then joined the Secret Service where he served on the presidential detail for six US presidents, from Kennedy to Reagan. He also taught criminal justice at Michigan State University and led security operations at Ford Motor company. In this episode, we sit with Mr. Jones and hear how his career in law enforcement kept him focused on God and steered his life a certain way, leading him to be a more compassionate law enforcement officer, secret service agent, and friend. New episodes air bi-weekly every Wednesday. Thanks for tuning in!

For more information about me and my work, please visit www.BrianneTurczynski.com or www.LovingTheImperfect.com

#podcast #spirituality #episcopal #history #prayer #love #ministry #interviews #christianity #contemplative #meditation #Bible #Bible reading #religion #Biblestudy #christianmystic #mysticism #interviews #sercretservice #USpresidents #unitedstatespresidents #presidentialhistory

 For more information about me and my work, please visit www.brianneturczynski.com or www.lovingtheimperfect.com

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Thank you for joining me again for season one's finale episode. Today I'll read Psalm 150, the very last psalm in the book of Psalms and I will share why I started this podcast. I will take a break for a few weeks while I work on some writing projects. Tune back in around the end of September or the beginning of October.

Media to look at this episode:
Take a look at the Sistine Chapel painting, The Creation of Adam. "The Creation of Adam" by Michelangelo - An In-Depth Analysis (artincontext.org)

Keep up with my work or contact me anytime at www.lovingtheimperfect.com
or follow me at @lovingtheimperfect on Instagram

For more information about me and my work, please visit www.BrianneTurczynski.com or www.LovingTheImperfect.com

#podcast #spirituality #episcopal #history #prayer #love #ministry #interviews #christianity #contemplative #meditation #Bible #Bible reading #religion #Biblestudy #christianmystic #mysticism

 For more information about me and my work, please visit www.brianneturczynski.com or www.lovingtheimperfect.com

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In this episode, we explore what the beginning of a mystical path can look and feel like. I am speaking from my own experience, so please know that your experience might be different from mine. My journey began when I read W. Somerset Maugham's book Don Fernando, a history of Spain's Golden Age. In this book, he introduces some of the most important mystics of all time: St. Theresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, Luis de Leon, and the artist El Greco. This episode is our second to last episode in this season. I hope you enjoy it!

Books/media mentioned in this episode:

Somerset Maugham Interview:
https://youtu.be/35zdFvas0uQ?si=5pq6qW357OBt9c2J

Don Fernando by W. Somerset Maugham

The Names of Christ by Luis de Leon

The Interior Castle by St. Theresa of Avila translated and edited by Mirabai Starr

The Life of Saint Teresa of Avila by Herself

The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross translated by Kieran Kavanaugh

Richard Rohr: Essential Teachings on Love by Richard Rohr selected and compiled by Joelle Chase and Judy Traeger

For more information about me and my work, please visit www.BrianneTurczynski.com or www.LovingTheImperfect.com

#podcast #spirituality #episcopal #history #prayer #love #ministry #interviews #christianity #contemplative #meditation #Bible #Bible reading #religion #Biblestudy #christianmystic #mysticism #richardrohr #saintteresaofavila #stjohnofthecross #mirabaistarr #spain #goldenages

 For more information about me and my work, please visit www.brianneturczynski.com or www.lovingtheimperfect.com

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In this episode, we explore different mantras that can be used in meditation and how meditation might be useful for us as our contemplative nature grows. This episode includes a reading from Psalm 136.

Media mentioned in this episode:

Thich Nhat Hanh: Mindful Meditation
https://youtu.be/J62F0Y6PKes

Center for Action and Contemplation
Center for Action and Contemplation (cac.org)

Turning To the Mystics with James Finley
Turning to the Mystics — CAC Podcast with James Finley 

#podcast #spirituality #episcopal #history #prayer #love #ministry #interviews #christianity #contemplative #meditation #Bible #Bible reading #religion #Biblestudy #christianmystic #mysticism

For more information about me and my work, please visit www.BrianneTurczynski.com or www.LovingTheImperfect.com

 For more information about me and my work, please visit www.brianneturczynski.com or www.lovingtheimperfect.com

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What do we need to retrieve from our past so we can advance in peace, likewise, what do we need to address or deal with from our past to promote a healthy future?

Sankofa is a word that when translated means return and fetch it.  It is an Adinkra (pictogram) symbol of the Asante people of Ghana. 

With the passing of Juneteenth, I wanted to briefly discuss Sankofa and what it can teach us along with the lessons of King Hezekiah of the Old Testament (who may have authored this week's psalm). Later, I'll sum up with an introduction to my favorite culinary historian and author, Michael W. Twitty. 

Books mentioned in this episode:

For more information about me and my work, please visit www.BrianneTurczynski.com or www.LovingTheImperfect.com

#podcast #spirituality #episcopal #history #prayer #love #ministry #interviews #christianity #contemplative #meditation #Bible #Bible reading #religion #Biblestudy #christianmystic #mysticism #michaelwtwitty #culinaryhistory #Blackhistory

 For more information about me and my work, please visit www.brianneturczynski.com or www.lovingtheimperfect.com

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Hello and welcome back!
Today's episode includes a reading from Psalm 122 and a poem from Mary Oliver called INVITATION.

Did you know that sometimes we pray without knowing it? Not only that but there are many different ways to pray without using words. Join me as we discuss the myriad different ways we pray. What are some ways that you pray without words?


Books/Film mentioned in this episode:

Red Bird a collection of poems by Mary Oliver

Harold and Maude--1971 Romantic Dark Comedy Film (The soundtrack is great too all Cat Stevens songs)

Luke 24:13-35

NOTE: As this episode was in the editing process my hometown experienced an active shooter at one of our park splash pads. Nine people were injured, some are still in critical condition, including an eight-year-old child.  I’d like to dedicate this episode to the victims of that tragedy. Please hold them in your prayers along with all of the response personnel and the gunman who ended his life immediately afterward. 

Any Questions? Email me at [email protected] or visit my website (below) for the full transcript and images of the books mentioned.

For more information about me and my work, please visit www.BrianneTurczynski.com or www.LovingTheImperfect.com

#podcast #spirituality #episcopal #history #prayer #love #ministry #interviews #christianity #contemplative #meditation #Bible #Bible reading #religion #Biblestudy #christianmystic #mysticism #maryoliver #poetry

 For more information about me and my work, please visit www.brianneturczynski.com or www.lovingtheimperfect.com

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Thank you for joining me on Loving the Imperfect!
Lately, I've been reading The Earth Has a Soul which is a collection of work from C. G. Jung (pronounced Yoo-ng. I realized my pronunciation in this episode is slightly off--I said 'Young'. I'm sorry for that). It's changing the way I think about our society, so I thought I would share a couple of points Jung made more than half a century ago about America specifically, our culture, our false notion of progress, and our speedy technological advances.  He begs us to get back to our instincts, back to our roots, and leave technology behind arguing that it has never saved us the time we thought we needed. It seems everyone is busier than ever nowadays!

Join me as we read Psalm 115 which points to idol worship. Is technology modern society's idol, taking precedence over every precious thing in our natural and spiritual lives? 

Blessings,
Brianne Turczynski

Books Mentioned in this Episode:
The Earth Has a Soul: C.G. Jung on Nature, Technology and Modern Life compiled and edited by Meredith Sabini

For more information about me and my work, please visit www.BrianneTurczynski.com or www.LovingTheImperfect.com

#podcast #spirituality #episcopal #history #prayer #love #ministry #interviews #christianity #contemplative #meditation #Bible #Bible reading #religion #Biblestudy #christianmystic #mysticism #CGJung #Nature #environment #mentalhealth #psychology #psychotherapy 

 For more information about me and my work, please visit www.brianneturczynski.com or www.lovingtheimperfect.com

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Thank you for joining me again this week! Can an ‘us versus them’ mentality ever be helpful for human relationships? What do you think?
 My answer to this question is included in this brief episode along with a reading from Psalm 108! Please consider subscribing or sharing.
Join me next week for Psalm 115!

If you’d like to give me your opinion on this question, drop me a line! Send me some Fan mail or drop me a message on Instagram or email me via my website by clicking this link: Let’s Get In Touch! – BRIANNE TURCZYNSKI 

For more information about me and my work, please visit www.BrianneTurczynski.com or www.LovingTheImperfect.com

Blessings, 
Brianne

#podcast #spirituality #episcopal #history #prayer #love #ministry #interviews #christianity #contemplative #meditation #Bible #Bible reading #religion #Biblestudy #christianmystic #mysticism

 For more information about me and my work, please visit www.brianneturczynski.com or www.lovingtheimperfect.com

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Psalm 101 is a Psalm from David written at the beginning of his reign. At this time David is unsure of himself as a worthy leader. I think we all feel like this sometimes, whether it's a leadership role through parenthood, our occupations, or even how we lead ourselves, we all have moments when we feel unworthy of the task. In this episode, I will show you a guiding light to help us silence all the wicked in the land, the voices of doubt and negativity. With some advice from spiritual teachers  Ram Dass and Julia Cameron, we can learn how to let our traumas rest with us. 

Books/Authors Mentioned in this Episode:

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

Be Here Now by Ram Dass

Music and Meditations Albums:
 
Ram Dass by Ram Dass and East Forest

For more information about me and my work, please visit www.BrianneTurczynski.com or www.LovingTheImperfect.com

#podcast #spirituality #episcopal #history #prayer #love #ministry #interviews #christianity #contemplative #meditation #Bible #Bible reading #religion #Biblestudy #christianmystic #mysticism #ramdass

 For more information about me and my work, please visit www.brianneturczynski.com or www.lovingtheimperfect.com

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Hello and Welcome to Loving the Imperfect!!
Sometimes it can be hard to tell if you're experiencing a toxic environment.  The toxicity can disguise itself and sometimes you've been existing in it for so long you can no longer read the signs. Join me as Psalm 94 guides us into this topic, and I tell you a little of my own experience leaving a toxic work environment. 

Books and Episodes mentioned in this episode:

Episode 4: How to Deal with Bullies

Witness: What I learned from Ellie Wiesel's Classroom by Ariel Burger

Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening  by Cynthia Bourgeault

Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer  by Thomas Keating

Thank you for joining me.
Please consider sharing and subscribing!

For more information about me and my work, please visit www.BrianneTurczynski.com or www.LovingTheImperfect.com

#podcast #spirituality #episcopal #history #prayer #love #ministry #interviews #christianity #contemplative #meditation #Bible #Bible reading #religion #Biblestudy #christianmystic #mysticism

 For more information about me and my work, please visit www.brianneturczynski.com or www.lovingtheimperfect.com