Seekin' Deacon

What can pickleball teach us about faith, leadership, and community?

Join Cuyler O'Connor and the Rev. Christi O. Brown as they explore how authentic leadership, emotional intelligence, and the simple act of showing up for others can deepen our relationships with God and one another.

From the pickleball court to everyday life, discover how faith calls us to lead with love, serve with purpose, and recognize God's image in everyone we meet.

In this episode of Seekin' Deacon, Cuyler O'Connor welcomes the Rev. Christi O. Brown of ACE Leadership for an engaging conversation about authentic leadership, spiritual formation, and the unexpected ways God connects our faith with our everyday lives.

Christi shares her experience working with both faith-based organizations and corporate teams, exploring the common threads that unite people across different settings. At the heart of effective leadership, she reminds us, is our willingness to recognize our strengths, acknowledge our weaknesses, and remain open to growth. Through leadership coaching, she challenges individuals and teams to step outside their comfort zones, build stronger relationships, and become more intentional in how they lead and serve others.

The conversation also explores the importance of spiritual practices in a busy world. Christi shares how prayer, devotional reading, lighting a candle, and walking in nature help her remain grounded in her faith. She offers a particularly meaningful reflection on praying Scripture over her daughters, demonstrating how even the simplest daily rituals can create opportunities for connection, encouragement, and spiritual growth.

And, of course, there is pickleball! Christi reflects on how a longtime love of tennis led her to discover a new community through pickleball. What begins as a sport becomes something more: a reminder that when we consistently show up for one another, meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging naturally grow. The pickleball court, like the workplace and the church, can become a place where we learn about ourselves, strengthen our connections, and discover new ways to work together.

Join us for a conversation that bridges faith, leadership, family, and community, reminding us that spiritual growth doesn't happen only in church or during formal moments of prayer. Sometimes, it happens in a coaching session, around the dinner table, on a walk in the woods, or on the pickleball court.

In this episode of Seekin' Deacon, Cuyler O'Connor sits down with the Rev. Christi O. Brown to explore vocation, discernment, leadership, and the unexpected ways God connects the chapters of our lives.

From Princeton Seminary and Duke Divinity School to church ministry and leadership coaching, Christi shares how her professional experience, theological education, and faith have come together to shape her ministry. It's a thoughtful conversation about discovering our gifts, listening for God's direction, and following where the Spirit leads.

In this episode of Seekin' Deacon, Deacon Cuyler O'Connor welcomes Septina Florimonte for a heartfelt conversation about faith, prayer, and spiritual growth. Septina shares how practices such as meditation, journaling, chanting, gratitude, and intentional prayer have shaped her relationship with God and guided her life's journey. Together, they explore the power of silence, authentic reflection, and recognizing God's presence in everyday moments. The conversation culminates in a simple yet profound challenge for all Christians: Can we love like Jesus? This inspiring episode invites listeners to deepen their spiritual practices, embrace God's grace, and discover the sacred in the ordinary.

In this inspiring episode of The Seekin' Deacon, Septina Florimonte shares her spiritual journey, reflecting on faith, service, and the transformative power of walking alongside others with compassion and dignity. Through stories from her ministry, nursing career, and leadership in the Daughters of the King, Septina offers a thoughtful perspective on how serving others can deepen our own relationship with Christ and bring hope to those we encounter along the way.

In this episode of Seekin' Deacon, Cuyler O'Connor sits down with Septina Florimonte to discuss her journey of faith, service, and leadership. From her work as a nurse and community advocate to her experiences with the United Nations and the Episcopal Church, Septina shares how caring for others and navigating family challenges deepened her faith and shaped her calling to serve. A thoughtful conversation on resilience, prayer, and living a life rooted in human dignity and love.

In Season 3, Episode 6 of Seekin' Deacon, Cuyler O'Connor sits down with Bishop Michael Curry for a thoughtful conversation on love as a conscious and disciplined way of life. Together, they explore how intentional love shapes discipleship, the challenges of navigating moral responsibility within society, and the importance of justice, compassion, and humility in a complex world. Bishop Curry reflects on peacemaking, global responsibility, and how small acts of love can create meaningful change. The episode concludes with a blessing and encouragement to continue seeking where the Spirit leads.

In this episode of Seekin' Deacon, Cuyler O'Connor sits down with Bishop Michael Curry to reflect on the experiences that shaped his calling and commitment to love and justice. From transformative college influences to discerning his vocation, Bishop Curry shares wisdom on living out faith in a way that helps move the world closer to God's dream. A thoughtful conversation about calling, courage, and choosing love in challenging times

In this episode of Seekin' Deacon, Rev. Cuyler O'Connor sits down with Bishop Michael Curry for a reflective conversation on faith, vocation, and the spiritual journey.

Bishop Curry shares stories from his upbringing in a deeply rooted yet open-minded Christian family, shaped by the Civil Rights Movement and a commitment to justice. He reflects on how those early experiences—alongside influential voices encountered during his college years—helped him connect faith with action in the world.

Together, they explore the intersection of personal spirituality and social responsibility, the challenges of modern life, and the enduring human longing for meaning, connection, and divine love.

Bishop Dion Johnson discusses how churches must change to survive by focusing on hospitality, listening to their communities, and adapting worship and spaces to meet real needs—especially of younger generations and families. He shares practical examples of asking honest questions, welcoming feedback, and reimagining church life to be more accessible and relational. Johnson emphasizes empowering lay leadership, doing fewer ministries well, and shifting toward a "lay-led, clergy-supported" model. He also reflects on his personal spiritual practices—daily prayer, walking, and listening—and concludes with a central message: remember that each person's first and lasting identity is being God's beloved, and live accordingly.