How we Love a Forest is how we Love Everything with Ethan Tapper. Join us for this transformative and hopeful chat with forrester, author of How We Love a Forest, and digital storyteller Ethan Tapper!  Ethan walks us through what it looks like to love and give your life over to whatever is calling to you from the depths of your heart. We visit about his 175 acres called Bear Island and the restorative and sometimes heartbreaking work it takes to love well. Ethan’s knowledge of trees, foxes, birds and wild things that roam Bear Island is delightful and invitational. Our hearts were changed by his deep commitment to the land and to the future. 
Show Notes:

• Ethan Tapper
• How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World

• Willow and the Storm - Children’s Book
• Ethan’s Instagram
• What the Robin Knows by John Young
• Dr. Lyla June
• EO Wilson
• In Blackwater Woods by: Mary Oliver

Chapters
00:00 The Essence of Nature and Loss
01:25 Introducing Ethan Tapper: A Forester's Journey
04:48 Bear Island: A Symbol of Hope and Responsibility
09:46 Wildlife and Ecosystem Relationships
15:48 Human Nature and Ecological Responsibility
21:14 The Complexity of Ecosystems and Love for Nature
26:52 The Unexpected Joy of Public Speaking
27:17 Emerging Themes of Hope
28:11 Engaging the Younger Generation
29:29 The Power of Hope in Action
30:15 Mythologizing Forests and Emotional Connections
31:05 The Role of Emotion in Environmental Advocacy
33:49 Balancing Science and Spirituality
37:48 Delight in Nature's Wonders
38:24 The Complexity of Life and Death
48:06 Understanding Death in Ecosystems
52:55 The Beauty of Forests and Their Lessons

Cheers to a New Year from Radical Sacred! This year has been a bit of a shit sandwich for us so if you’re feeling less than holly jolly this one's for you. We chat about where we are and our hopes for 2026. We choose a few words that will be our guiding light for the year to come and remember our favorite episodes from this season. Thanks for being on this journey with us! “May the nourishment of the earth be yours,may the clarity of light be yours,may the fluency of the ocean be yours, may the protection of the ancestors be yours.” - John O’Donohue

Show Notes:

• Beannacht by: John O’Donohue
• Ted Radio Hour - Finding Your Bliss with Krista Tippett of On Being 
• The Case for Making Art When the World is on Fire Aime McNee
• Living the Questions by Rilke
• Yes, That’s When by: Rosemary Wahtola Trommer

Chapters
00:00 New Year's Reflections and Technical Challenges
02:12 Personal Introductions and Life Updates
09:11 Memorable Conversations and Insights from the Year
14:43 Creativity, Vulnerability, and the Importance of Expression
21:30 Living with Questions and Embracing Uncertainty
26:14 Navigating Personal Challenges and Growth
28:50 Navigating New Year's Emotions
30:31 Leaving Behind and Embracing for the New Year
33:37 Personal Reflections on Avoidance and Authenticity
37:22 Words of Intention for 2026
40:50 Reciprocity and Creativity in Relationships
44:25 Words for 2026: Unfold, Return, and Holistic
50:16 Expansion and Blooming into the New Year

On this special Christmas Eve episode we get to chat with poet, theologian, and host of Poetry Unbound Pádraig Ó Tuama! Pádraig talks with us about reciprocity in all its forms, chaos, cooperation and conflict resolution, doing what is yours to do and more! We are so thankful for Pádraig, his work and his wise words, for all of you listening, and for the hope we find in poetry, art, music, nature, and creation in these uncertain times. May your Christmas be filled with love and joy and may you follow your imagination and explore all that is within you and all that calls to you. 

Show Notes:

• The Kingdom of Ordinary Time 
• conflictintelligence.org
• Substack - Poetry Unbound Poetry Unbound Podcast 
• In Between the Sun and Moon
• Circle 

Chapters
00:00 The Power of Poetry and Personal Connection
03:38 Exploring Reciprocity in Relationships
05:03 Nature as Inspiration in Poetry
09:55 Understanding Chaos and Its Role in Life
14:40 The Intersection of Poetry and Chaos
15:55 The Writing Process and Rituals
22:03 Conflict Resolution and the Role of Community
30:19 The Pedagogy of Conflict
33:05 Art as a Response to Crisis
40:21 Understanding Thin Spaces
46:42 Celtic Spirituality and Modern Contexts
48:37 Finding Hope in Community
50:58 The Role of Imagination in Writing

Julia Postema and Jeremiah Gibson join us today to talk about reciprocity in intimate relationships in this helpful and hopeful episode! Julia and Jeremiah are married therapists whose mission is to support relationships in reclaiming sexuality following adverse religious experiences. Their gentle approach invites us all into new ways of being and knowing, ourselves and others. We loved their kind and thoughtful approach to sex, intimacy, and learning how to listen to our bodies and our yearning. 

• Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski
• Come Together by Emily Nagoski
• Sexvangelicals Podcast
• When Religion Hurts You by Laura Anderson
• Relationship Coaching Business - Let’s Heal Together
• Green Boy by Kai Cheng Thom

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Poetry and Themes of Connection
01:03 Exploring the Wild Goose Festival and Its Impact
02:43 Navigating High Control Environments and Personal Growth
05:40 Defining Reciprocity in Relationships
08:08 Understanding Differentiation and Interdependence
11:09 The Role of Purity Culture in Sexuality
13:53 The Political Nature of Sexuality and Relationships
16:15 Deconstructing Shame and Reclaiming Autonomy
19:05 Steps Towards Healing from Purity Culture
21:42 Intuition, Yearning, and Self-Discovery
24:31 The Importance of Play in Sexuality
27:16 Imagination and Reconstruction of Beliefs
30:24 Experimentation in Relationships and Sexuality
31:25 The Impact of Nature on Intimacy and Connection
34:02 Intimacy as a Pathway to Connection
36:49 Practical Steps to Cultivate Intimacy
39:10 Recommended Resources for Vulnerability and Reciprocity
42:10 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

Really lovely and meandering chat this week with the founder of Oikon Studios Mike Whang. Mike began Oikon Studios as a way of learning to walk in the unforced rhythms of grace.Through a gorgeous mixture of liturgy,spiritual formation, lectio divina, and music Mike invites us all to union with God, with true self, and with one another. Our attention is deeply rooted in what we’re attuned to and where our intention lies. What is calling you to divine union? 

Show Notes:

• Oikon Studios
• Phygital Fellows 
• Lectio Divina
• In the Name by Padraig O’Tuama

Chapters
00:00 In the Name of Community and Connection
02:50 Introducing Mike Wang and Oikon Studios
04:31 The Evolution of Liturgy and Ministry
07:20 The Importance of Liturgy in Spiritual Life
11:14 Unforced Rhythms of Grace
14:24 Liturgy as Practice and Reciprocity
17:45 Power Dynamics in Liturgy and Ministry
22:54 Moving from Scarcity to Abundance
27:34 Creating Beauty in Ministry
33:41 Practices of Attentiveness and Reflection
35:57 God's Work Beyond the Church
39:37 Advent Reflections and Ancestral Connections
44:05 Legacy and Ancestral Influence
48:11 Closing Thoughts and Resources

It’s hard to put this episode with Brooke Williams on his new book Encountering Dragonfly into words! The breadth and width of this conversation is vast. We talk to Brooke about dragonflies, prophetic dreams, listening to your inner knowing, animal guides, re-enchantment, imaginal ecology, the veils between worlds, and more! Grateful for this lovely book, and for Brooke’s ability to invite, enliven, and re-enchant. 

Show Notes:

• Brooke Williams Website
• Encountering Dragonfly : Notes on the Practice of Re-enchantment
• The Earth has a Soul - Meredith Sabini 
• Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front - Wenell Berry
• Fly, Dragonfly! By: Joyce Sidman
• W.S. Merwin

Chapters
00:00 The Enchantment of Dragonflies
06:19 Exploring Inner Worlds and Personal Truths
12:25 The Intersection of Science and Spirituality
18:49 Animals as Messengers and Guides
26:57 Archetypes and the Symbolism of Dragonflies
34:49 Imaginal Ecology and Natural History
35:41 Imaginal Ecology and Relationships
39:02 Consciousness and Collective Responsibility
42:37 Attention: The Key to Re-enchantment
47:23 Personal and Collective Re-enchantment
54:03 The Power of Passion and Connection
01:01:35 Facing Mortality and Purpose

We were so fortunate to meet Beth Norcross and Leah Rampy at The Wild Goose Festival! This chance encounter led us to reading their beautiful book Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees and to the lovely and deeply rooted conversation in this episode. The way Beth and Leah invite us back to nature, remind us that we are one with the trees, and embody looking to the trees as our teachers have inspired us so deeply. May we each find our love for all beings renewed and reinvigorated by these women and their gorgeous work. 

Show Notes:

• Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees 
• Save Our Soil
• Center for Spirituality in Nature
• COP 30
• BethNorcross.com
• LeahRampy.com
• Reweaving Earth and Soul - Leah on Substack
• When I am among the Trees by: Mary Oliver 

Chapters
00:00 The Spiritual Connection with Nature
08:59 Personal Journeys and Teacher Trees
18:17 The Wisdom of Trees: Literal and Metaphorical
26:52 The Role of Trees in Spiritual Practices
33:00 The Journey of Spiritual Practices
36:04 Nurse Logs and Ancestral Connections
42:40 Grounding Through Spiritual Practices
48:51 Reconnecting with Nature and Spirituality
57:32 A Message from the Trees

We chat all about relational flow today with eco spiritual director, soul guide, holistic psychotherapist, author, and two time Radical Sacred guest Melissa Fritchle! When we begin to build our relationships based on reciprocity and flow beautiful new pathways begin to emerge. Join us for this invitational conversation on interdependence, creativity, intimacy, and following our yearning. 
Cool stuff we mention in this week’s episode (or meant to anyways): 

• Melissa’s Website - Embody & Connect
• Melissa’s Substack - Soul Entwined with Earth 
• Center for Wild Spirituality - Wild Weavings
• Night on the Island by: Pablo Neruda

Chapters
00:00 The Poetic Introduction
02:39 Exploring Soul Guidance
03:36 Understanding Reciprocity
10:27 Transcending Expectations
16:15 From Scarcity to Abundance
22:56 Embracing Discomfort for Growth
27:26 Creativity in Discomfort
31:43 Reconnecting with Yearning
35:02 The Nature of Suffering and Happiness
37:38 Redefining Work and Retirement
39:33 The Importance of Intimacy
43:12 The Role of Ceremony and Ritual
55:29 Embracing Reciprocity in Relationships

Simon Fulford and Ame Mañon-Ferguson of Parrott Creek Child and Family Services chat with us about reimaging trauma healing and the expansive, gorgeous work they do for families and the 80 acres of land that surrounds their site. We were blown away by their care and intentionality with the folks they serve with and through their Cultural Ecology Project. We learn about treating all people with unconditional positive regard and about what happens when folks healing from trauma heal in an intentional community and heal with and alongside nature. Our hearts and minds were expanded by this lovely conversation.  

Cool stuff we mention on this weeks episode (or meant to anyways):

• Parrott Creek
• Cultural Ecology Project at Parrott Creek
• Donate to Parrott Creek
• [email protected]
• Find them on Instagram
• Sunrise by Joy Harjo

Chapters
00:00 The Power of Poetry and Introduction to Parrott Creek
01:25 Understanding Parrott Creek's Mission and History
05:35 Cultural Ecology and Land Stewardship
09:53 The Healing Power of Nature
14:36 Measuring Success Beyond Metrics
19:06 Unconditional Positive Regard and Trauma-Informed Care
23:26 Community Engagement and Restorative Justice
28:06 Finding Inspiration and Hope in Nature
32:30 Supporting Indigenous Communities and Local Initiatives
36:59 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

We are thrilled to welcome author, pastor, and thinker, Kenneth McIntosh to the pod! We chat about his book Oak and Lotus and how his life has been shaped by Celtic Christianity along with Buddhism. How might our spirituality shift and change in unexpected directions if we were open to new pathways? If you’ve ever been curious about interspirituality this lovely and invitational episode is for you. 

Cool stuff we mention on this week’s episode (or meant to anyways):

• Kennethimcintosh.com 
• Oak and Lotus 
• Kenneth’s Substack 
• Rumi’s Guesthouse

Chapters
00:00 Seeing Christ in Everyday Life
01:18 Introduction to Celtic Spirituality
02:16 Understanding Interspirituality
04:23 Kenneth's Spiritual Journey
12:50 Transcending Evangelicalism
16:18 Celtic and Eastern Spiritual Connections
24:49 Interspirituality and Personal Growth
32:38 Reconceiving Jesus: An Eastern Wisdom Teacher
35:34 Understanding Taoism: Flowing with the Divine
39:59 Everyday Mysticism: Trusting Intuition and Spirit
41:29 Thin Places: Encounters with the Divine
49:17 Reciprocity: Openness and Inter-Spirituality