The Growing Edge

I hope you’ll join Parker and me for this heart expanding conversation with poet, James Crews. We discuss his new book "Everyday Sacred" , slowing down and becoming more awake to daily wonder and drawing strength from the divine in the smallest details. We discuss the importance of joy and beauty, the inspiration found in the natural world, change and impermanence, and the process of grief and healing. We also talk about the welcoming and interactive nature of his books and anthologies.

Carrie Newcomer & Parker J. Palmer Rebroadcast a podcast recorded in May 2022. In this podcast they explore the poems “What I’ve Learned So Far” by Mary Oliver and “Small Kindnesses”. Danusha Laméris. and revisit a conversation about holding and navigating the "both/and" of complex times—the presence of goodness in the world, but also a clear and present danger, even evil at work in the world.

Join Parker and Carrie for this heart opening conversation with poet, storyteller and wise woman, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer. Rosemerry is a poet, teacher, speaker and writing facilitator who co-hosts “Emerging Form,” a podcast on the creative process.

Join Carrie Newcomer and Parker J. Palmer for a beautiful conversation with author/contemplative photographer Christy Berghoef. Christy is a published author, speaker, mother of four, common good communications consultant, contemplative photographer, musician, wanderer, and wonderer. Christine is a graduate of Calvin College with a degree in Political Science and later a doctor of Ministry in The Sacred Art of Writing .She spent a year on Capital Hill working for a Congressman. Christy has two books; Cracking the Pot: A Memoir of Spiritual Expansion and her newest book Rooted: A Spiritual Memoir of Homecoming – which describes her return to the sacred ground of her family’s 40-acre farm. In Rooted Christy visits the themes of spiritual transformation, social justice, motherhood, the healing wisdom of the land, and the meaning of belonging. She also explores her journey from a conservative evangelical upbringing to a more inclusive, justice oriented progressive faith. She has a beautiful Substack offering called Willow and Wheat

Join Parker J. Palmer and Carrie Newcomer as they explore peacemaking in divided times with David Lamotte. David has a wide-ranging career as a singer-songwriter with a dozen albums and performances across all fifty states and five continents. He’s the author of four books, including two for children. His latest book, You Are Changing the World Whether You Like It Or Not, serves as a textbook in colleges and universities across the U.S. and in Australia. In 2009-11, David interrupted his music career to accept a Rotary International Peace Fellowship, studying International Relations, Peace and Conflict Resolution at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. His TEDx talks—Why Heroes Don’t Change the World (2024) and Music Can Help Us Understand Peace and Conflict (2017)—have been widely praised. As David writes, “It’s not naive to think you can change the world. It’s naive to think you could possibly be in the world and not change it.” Join us as we talk with a deeply engaged artist and peace-maker from whom we have much to learn.

Today Parker and I will be revisiting our conversation with musician, master songwriter, storyteller, multi-instrumentalist, author, activist, seven-time grammy nominee, John McCutcheon. In this episode we explore the power of story, song and what it means to speak with compassion, clarity and a sense of humor in these challenging times You can hear John’s most recent album "A Field of Stars" on Spotify, Itunes or by checking out his website www.folkmusic.com

Parker and I loved this interview and we're so happy to revisit our conversation with John McCutcheon.

Podcast Episode 60: A Conversation with Unitarian Universalist Pastor & Activist Susan Frederick-Gray by Carrie Newcomer & Parker J. Palmer

Please join us for a conversation about historian Timothy Snyder’s book On Tyranny. Carrie and Parker discuss four of the twenty hallmarks of authoritarian governments addressed in Snyder’s clear and informative work. The book is relatively short, but chock-full of insights, stories and practical advice when navigating the very real challenges of our times. We’ll look at the large overarching symptoms of an existential threat to our democracy, but also how to bring it home and to focus upon the power we each have in our daily and personal lives for defending and preserving our most deeply held values, community and national aspirations.

Join Parker and Carrie for a conversation about William Stafford’s poem “Cutting Loose”. In this episode we explore the way that disillusionment or feeling lost can bring with it a powerful sense of reality, faithfulness and new direction. Parker and Carrie talk about their own experiences of feeling lost and listening to the sound of the genuine within them. In these challenging times, this is a poem that has much history and wisdom to share. We hope you’ll join the conversation by listening to the episode and commenting on our Substack Page at https://tinyurl.com/25tmtbhf.

Join Parker and Carrie for a conversation with Notre Dame’s Professor Emeritus of International Peacebuilding, John Paul Lederach, about his Pocket Guide for Facing Down a Civil War. This new booklet draws upon Lederach’s experience as a renowned peace practitioner who has mediated conflicts around the world. Here, he provides thoughtful, sometimes surprising ideas and advice on how to navigate, disrupt and mitigate the patterns that lead to deeper conflict, with attention to what is happening right now in U.S. politics.