Rev. Dr. Shively Smith joins us on the pod today! Shively is a professor, author, speaker, lover of water, mom, and avid gamer who visits with us about Howard Thurman, the new testament, guides, ancestors, listening to the small voice within and much more. Join us as we learn to navigate all that is before us and walk that strange path that leads us to our truest selves. 


Show Notes:

• Fisk University
• Howard Thurman - Meditations of the Heart
• Greg Ellison - Anchors in the Spirit and Fearless Dialogues
• Howard Thurman - With Head and Heart
• Renita J. Weems - Just a Sister Away: A Womanist Vision of Women’s Relationships in the Bible
• Shively Smith - Strangers to Family: Diaspora and 1 Peter’s Invention of God’s Household
• Union Combined Parish - Boston, MA
• Shively Smith - Reading Howard Thurman: His Practice of Interpretation Through Womanist Eyes
• Imagesofinterpreation.com 
• shivelysmith.com 

Key Topics

• Water as a spiritual practice and source of clarity
• Howard Thurman's influence on faith and justice
• The role of biblical interpretation in social justice
• The significance of the unnamed in biblical stories
• Courage and openness in encountering guides and strangers

Chapters
00:00 The Power of Grief and Nature's Call
03:01 Introducing Shively Smith: Scholar and Gamer
08:11 The Significance of Water in Spirituality
11:37 Howard Thurman: A Personal Connection
15:14 Thurman's Integration of Inner and Outer Life
19:42 The Journey of a Biblical Scholar
25:48 The Role of Mentorship and Ancestral Guidance
32:12 Courage in Divided Times
34:22 The Journey to New Testament Scholarship
38:52 Engaging with First Peter
41:48 Interpreting Biblical Texts Through a Modern Lens
48:15 From Mercy to Justice
55:04 The Art of Interpretation and Awakening

Today we are joined by David Dault as we dive into his new book The Accessorized Bible. David is an author, professor at Loyola University, award-winning screenwriter, media producer, consultant, podcaster and radio host. We chat about his book which includes beautiful passages on James Baldwin, loving with intention, bringing our own moral lens to the bible, and more! This is a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation. We are grateful for David and his invitation to look more in depth: at our own souls, at the ways we interpret the bible, and at the ways we connect to others.  


Show Notes:

• Substack - David Dault is writing things
• The Accessorized Bible 
• The Francis Effect Podcast
• Things Not Seen: Conversations About Culture and Faith
• David at Loyola University 
• Karl Rahner banana essay - Theology of Freedom
• The Good Place
• Hannah Arendt - On Violence
• An Octopus has Three Whole Hearts by: Joy Sullivan 

Key Topics

• The metaphor of the Bible as an accessory versus a rulebook
• The importance of moral seriousness and slow reflection
• The concept of takun olam (repairing the world)
• The role of love and responsiveness in faith and relationships
• The impact of technology on empathy and storytelling

Chapters
01:00 The Heart of an Octopus: A Poetic Introduction
02:01 David Dalt: A Multifaceted Journey
03:00 The Evolution of a Career: From Music to Academia
05:59 Things Not Seen: Conversations on Culture and Faith
10:44 Navigating Faith in a Polarized World
14:45 The Bible: A Tool for Good or Evil?
20:10 The Accessorized Bible: Purpose and Timing
26:17 Moral Seriousness: Slowing Down to Reflect
30:52 Technology and Its Ethical Implications
32:02 Exploring Technology and Power Dynamics
34:32 The Role of Narrative in Repairing the World
37:43 The Impact of Technology on Empathy
38:56 Transcending Technique in Art and Life
43:22 The Bible: A Source of Questions and Insights
47:14 Influences and Ancestry in Thought
51:49 Catastrophic Love and Institutional Challenges
59:30 The Intention to Love in Relationships

Rev. Jim Keat of The Riverside Church joins us this week to talk about creating intimate spaces and reciprocal relationships online. Jim is a runner, digital creator and pastor who views the internet as a vast opportunity for connection, care, and transformation. This conversation is a lovely reminder of the power of community on site or online. 

Show Notes:

• Riverside Church
• jimkeat.com
• The Convergence Network 
• @revjimruns
• Bible in a Minute
• Jim’s Substack
• Imagination by Assata Shakur 

Key Topics

• Embodiment in digital spaces
• Creating intimacy online
• Navigating online critique and negativity
• Ethics of technology in faith communities
• Building reciprocal relationships in digital spaces

Chapters
00:00 The Power of Belief and Affirmation
02:32 Introducing Jim Keat: Digital Ministry Innovator
04:05 Navigating Digital Spaces in Ministry
05:42 Redefining Digital vs. Physical Experiences
10:12 Creating Intimate Online Spaces for Ministry
12:03 Fostering Connection in Digital Gatherings
15:12 Mindfulness and Running: A Personal Journey
18:05 Nature's Lessons for Digital Engagement
20:07 Noticing the Present: A Mindful Approach
24:03 Inhabiting Spaces: The Contrast of City and Small Town
26:28 Navigating Progressive Faith in Small Towns
30:03 Creating a Liberative Church Experience
31:33 Handling Online Critiques and Community Engagement
35:07 The Role of Technology in Building Relationships
38:33 Experiencing Reciprocity in Digital Spaces
43:17 Ethics of Technology and Digital Ministry
49:12 Addressing Global Issues and Personal Heartbreak

We had the loveliest of conversations with writer, journalist, and rhetorician, Christine Tracy on her new book Just Trust Life: A Journey with Teilhard de Chardin. Her book and our conversation are about Teilhard, but are both also deeply rooted in how he became a guide and a north star for Christine as she goes on a transcendent journey to find her truest self. What can we learn by letting go of fear and shame and learning to just trust life? We hope Teilhard and Christine inspire you to look within, to trust self, and to transcend. All you need is already within you. 

Show Notes:

• Christine's Website
• Just Trust Life: A Journey with Teilhard de Chardin by: Christine Tracy 
• Teilhard Project Scholars
• The Newsphere by: Christine Tracy
• Summer by Frank Weston Benson

• Emergency Family Assistance Association in Boulder 
• Wilding by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

Questions to consider:

1. How can embracing your inner wildness lead to a more authentic and fulfilling life? Reflect on moments when you felt most connected to your truest self and consider how you can incorporate more of these experiences into your daily life.
2. In what ways can pain serve as a catalyst for personal growth and spiritual awakening?
3. How does practicing love as a cosmic energy influence your interactions with others and the world around you? 

Practices to try:

1. Dedicate time each week to engage with nature or activities that allow you to express your primal energy. This could be through hiking, dancing, or simply spending time withnature.
2. When experiencing emotional or physical pain, take a moment to journal or meditate on what this pain is teaching you about your true nature. Use this practice to transform suffering into a lesson of resilience and love.
3. Incorporate intentional acts of love into your daily routine. This could be as simple as smiling at a stranger, expressing gratitude, or sending positive energy to someone in need.

Chapters
00:00 Embracing the Wilderness Within
02:51 The Journey with Teilhard
06:40 Finding Authenticity and Being Seen
12:21 Transcendence and Inner Connection
18:01 The Noosphere and Collective Evolution
23:38 Pain as a Teacher and Personal Power
26:54 The Power of Presence and Love
27:38 Art as a Catalyst for Connection
30:19 Exploring the Energy of Love
33:28 Reconnecting with the Self
36:40 The Role of Ancestors in Our Journey
39:23 Embracing Challenges and Enemies
42:35 Envisioning a Better World
50:32 Nature's Healing Influence
52:56 The Wisdom of Trees and Water Blessings
57:12 NEWCHAPTER

We are thrilled to speak with Lisa Sharon Harper, founder of Freedom Road, podcaster, public theologian, author, including the books Fortune: How Race Broke My Family And The World—And How To Repair It All, and The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can be Made Right. In this wide ranging conversation Lisa shares with us her wisdom and her witness as we talk about the crises we face in our country and in the church and the hopes that can be found in knowing our history, love, community, and connection. 

Show Notes:

• Freedom Road
• The Truth Is - Lisa’s Substack
• Fortune: How Race Broke My Family and The World-And How to Repair It All
• The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can Be Made Right
• bell hooks
• Toni Morrison - Beloved

Chapters
00:00 The Essence of Identity and Respect
01:55 Introducing Lisa Sharon Harper
02:52 Journey Towards Shalom
05:51 Understanding Shalom: More Than Just Peace
19:30 Shalom Between Genders: A Deeper Exploration
26:07 The Hebrew Concept of Perfection vs. Western Understanding
35:59 The Practice of Love in Society
39:42 Self-Love as a Foundation for Justice
43:25 The Power of Love vs. Anger
47:17 Decolonizing Faith and Ecclesiology
59:27 Building Communities of Faith
01:05:33 A Call to Action for Faith Leaders

This week we are joined by poet Rosemary Wahtola Trommer as she shares her journey of writing poetry daily, the role of nature in her work, and how grief has shaped her understanding of beauty and vulnerability. We discuss the integration of personal loss with the creative process, the importance of collaboration, and the power of poetry to express the inexpressible. Rosemary emphasizes the significance of being present in the moment and how poetry serves as a bridge to connect with our emotions and the world around us. Phil also makes his (tear filled) poetry debut.



Show Notes

• Rosemerry's Website
• Rosemerry's Substack
• Rosemerry's Albums: Dark Praise and Risking Love
• Ritual App
• evermore.org 

Chapters
00:00 The Power of Poetry and Vulnerability
04:05 The Journey of Daily Writing
13:06 Nature as Inspiration
16:41 Integrating Beauty and Reality
20:56 Celebrating Women Artists
28:04 Collaboration and Creativity
33:58 Finding Comfort in Poetry
36:40 The Transformative Nature of Loss
36:43 Embracing Grief as a Teacher
44:58 The Intersection of Grief and Praise
51:01 The Power of Poetry in Grief
58:35 The Role of Art and Nature in Healing
01:03:25 Sharing and Celebrating Creative Expressions
01:06:58 NEWCHAPTER

We had a truly life giving conversation with Dr. Liza Rankow on her book Soul Medicine for a Fractured World: Healing, Justice, and the Path of Wholeness! Liza’s book is a gorgeous read and speaks on the importance of deep soul healing, both/and thinking, community care,the gifts that can come from our struggles, awe, and having our hearts broken open. We loved this chat and will be thinking about it for a long time to come! 

Show Notes:

• Soul Medicine for a Fractured World: Healing, Justice, and the Path of Wholeness
• Liza Rankow Website 
• Liza’s Substack
• Now is the Time by Hafiz 

Chapters
00:00 Invitation to lenten practice
02:37 Introducing Dr. Liza Rankow
04:02 Navigating Wilderness Times
07:38 Understanding Nopantla: The In-Between Space
10:35 The Duality of Tomb and Womb
14:23 Mysticism and Social Activism
20:19 The Gift of Pain and Vulnerability
24:26 Finding Meaning in Suffering
28:41 Rituals of Initiation and Meaning-Making
35:16 Rites of Passage and Cultural Ordeals
37:37 Integrating Trauma and Rituals
39:52 The Power of Awe and Brokenness
45:22 Suffering as a Spiritual Discipline
48:15 The Evolving Relationship with Ancestors
52:51 The Science and Significance of Awe
01:01:18 Prayer Excerpted from A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life

We were so fortunate to talk to David Hayward, known for his work under the moniker the Naked Pastor, in this spacious and honest episode about art, deconstruction, feminine wisdom, nature, and more. David shares with us his spiritual journey that is continually unfolding. His gentle storytelling invited us to look deeply at our spirituality, to not be afraid to live the questions when they come up, and to begin to move towards whatever is stirring within our hearts. There is no wrong way to become your fullest self, and the world deeply needs people who have come alive. This chat opened up some things for us to sit with, we hope it does the same for you. 

Show Notes

• The Naked Pastor Website
• Naked Pastor on Instagram
• The Liberation of Sophia 
• Without a Vision my People Prosper-
• Till Doubt Do Us Part 
• The Lasting Supper - Online Community 
• Nadya Tolokonnikova from Pussy Riot Art
• Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Chapters
00:00 The National Anthem and Its Hidden Truths
02:56 Introducing David Hayward: The Naked Pastor
05:59 The Naked Truth: Spiritual Abuse and Silence
11:39 The Journey of Deconstruction Begins
14:47 Reconstruction: Integrating the Past
19:05 Sophia: The Feminine Wisdom Within
25:56 Masculinity and the Inner Feminine
33:03 Jesus and Feminine Wisdom in the Church
39:19 Navigating Marriage Through Deconstruction
42:51 The Glue of Relationships: Love Beyond Beliefs
45:43 Navigating Deconstruction in Relationships
46:18 Loneliness and Community Rebuilding
49:38 Finding New Connections Outside Faith Communities
51:34 Art as Resistance and Inspiration
56:48 Nature's Role in Inspiration and Connection
01:00:28 The Power of Awe and Love
01:10:27 The Naked Pastor's Journey and Future Directions
01:12:35 NEWCHAPTER

We had a lovely time chatting with Wes Ellis about his book Abiding in Amen: Prayer for a Secular Age! Wes is a pastor, professor, and author who decided to look at prayer through a gentle, nonjudgmental, and playful lens. We chat about abiding in prayer, silence, what resonates deeply within us, and approaching prayer in a hopeful, open hearted way. We hope that this episode gives you the space you need to check out prayer in new and innovative ways! May your prayers flow through you freely, may they reach the depths of your heart and spirit,  and may your prayers lead you to act. 

Show Notes:

• Abiding in Amen
• Wes Ellis Website 
• The Uncontrollability of the World by Hartmut Rosa 
• God in Creation by Jurgen Moltmann
• Theology of Play by Jurgen Moltmann

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Prayer and Its Significance
05:11 Exploring the Challenges of Prayer in a Secular Age
10:25 Defining Prayer: A Two-Way Communication
13:10 Prayer as Technology: A Cautionary Perspective
18:33 Resonance in Prayer Practices
21:11 The Concept of Disposable Prayer
24:40 The Importance of Play in Spiritual Life
27:09 The Importance of Play and Joy in Troubling Times
27:50 Prayer as Community Action
30:08 Suffering with the World: A New Perspective
33:15 The Role of the Church in Transformation
35:19 Being Ready: The Nature of Prayer
38:27 Everything as Prayer: A New Understanding
44:58 Breath Prayer and the Desert Fathers
51:04 Finding Beauty Amidst Darkness
52:03 Invitation to Simple Prayer
53:48 NEWCHAPTER

We had the loveliest of chats with Seryn founding members Nathan James Allen and Trenton Wheeler! We talk creativity, flow, letting our questions guide us, their beginnings as a band in Denton, TX, their pause from creating music together, the pathway back to one another, and their newest songs. Join us for this winding, interesting, music and hope filled conversation. Fun fact: our new intro and outro music is a gorgeous tune called Beach Song by Seryn. This song means a lot to us and we hope that you enjoy it as well!

Show Notes:

• Seryn 
• Seryn on Instagram
• Youtube
• Playing March 21 - Thinline Filmfest - Denton, TX
• Transcendental Reunion - Mary Chapin Carpenter
• A Chance to Cut is a Chance to Cure - Matmos
• App - Bednight Sleep Music
• The Birds Wrote Me a Poem by: Andrea Gibson

Chapters
00:00 The Poetic Prelude
04:04 Introducing Seryn: Origins and Name
07:06 The Hiatus: Conflict and Growth
11:40 Reunion and Healing Through Music
19:45 Serendipitous Connections and Band Dynamics
25:30 Nature's Influence on Music
30:45 The Creative Process Behind 'River Song'
32:31 The Significance of 'Beach Song'
43:14 Faith and Doubt in Our Music
55:26 The Importance of Questioning Beliefs
57:00 Artists as Voices of the Oppressed
57:43 Finding Inspiration in Turbulent Times
01:00:24 The Role of Family in Creativity
01:03:31 Navigating Anxiety and Creativity
01:09:50 The Urgency of Time and Connection
01:19:21 NEWCHAPTER