The Sacred Thread Podcast

In this episode, Winston is joined by Jory Pryor author of Becoming All Light: The Nondual Heart of Christianity and host of the Methods podcast.

Together they explore the rich terrain of non-duality, Advaita Vedanta, and Christian mysticism, asking what it means to speak of God, self, and reality in a way that goes beyond the familiar dualities of Western thought. Jory shares how his book emerged as both a teaching and a spiritual practice, written in the lineage of “teach what you most want to learn.”

They discuss:

• the meaning of non-duality and how it relates to the Christian contemplative tradition
• the challenges of making deep mystical concepts accessible without flattening them
• the pitfalls of oversimplified Western non-dualism
• how spiritual traditions evolve over time and why that evolution is natural
• the flexibility needed to speak of God as both personal and impersonal

Jory also shares perspectives on how non-dual insight expresses itself in real life—not as abstract philosophy, but as a more generous, spacious way of being.

Explore more of Jory’s work:

https://campsite.bio/methodsofcontemplation?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnqn4t0J90tsuchqC8fFjI-TTxzVES-mAK3-1Bb3dKLXfBXrPb17pab1ZXejM_aem_PhDvawWvWkD9_Cf8JIvMHA&brid=yYUyxupf8oOi5wJKDGWDOQ

In this episode, Winston is joined by Rev. Cathie Caimano — Episcopal priest, writer, runner, and founder of Free Range Priest, Trexo: A Gym for Your Soul, and Substack Seminary, a new 12-month program helping clergy reclaim their ministry identity and build sustainable models of spiritual leadership.

Winston and Cathie explore:

• her 25-year journey from traditional parish ministry into “free-range” ministry
• why churches must evolve from institutional maintenance to spiritual connection
• how digital tools can strengthen real-life community
• the growing need for clergy to develop clear ministry identities and sustainable income streams
• the future of faith communities in a world no longer centered on Sunday mornings
• the possibilities and challenges of building community across theological and political divides

It’s a hopeful, honest conversation about the changing landscape of modern ministry — and what a more collaborative, interconnected, and spiritually grounded future might look like.

Find more of Cathie’s work here:
Free Range Priest (Substack): https://freerangepriest.substack.com

Substack Seminary: https://www.substackseminary.org/

Trexo: A Gym for Your Soul: https://trexo.church/

In this episode, Winston sits down with theologian and philosopher Thomas Jay Oord to explore the heart of open and relational theology — a vision of God as inherently uncontrolling love, whose life unfolds in real relationship with creation, and whose influence is mutual rather than unilateral.

The conversation dives into eternal creation, the nature of intrinsic value, what it means for God and creation to be “entangled,” and how unity and individuality coexist without collapsing into either pantheism or separation.

You can follow Thomas’ work here: 

https://thomasjayoord759927.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips

What if time itself could become a doorway into the sacred? In this conversation, writer, historian, and theologian Diana Butler Bass joins Winston Janusz to explore how the Christian calendar offers an alternative rhythm to our hurried, secular world. Drawing from her brand new book A Beautiful Year, Diana reimagines the shape of time as something non-linear—more like a spiral or labyrinth—inviting us to live with courage, gratitude, and hope in the midst of change.

Together they reflect on how sacred time can ground us in love, resist empire, and help us rediscover God’s presence in the ordinary seasons of life.

Brian McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian whose voice has helped shape the conversation around faith in the modern world. In this episode, we talk about his book The Great Spiritual Migration, the future of the church, and how our religious institutions can become powerful forces for transformation and healing in society.

This episode was originally recorded around 2020. 

In this episode, Winston speaks with contemplative artist and meditation teacher Thomas Davis IV about his journey through Christianity, Buddhism, and the creative life. Together they explore how mindfulness, art, and authenticity intersect — from jazz improvisation and emotional expression to the humility required in service and leadership. Thomas shares insights from his work at InsightLA and Avant-Dharma, reflecting on the spiritual path as one of continual renewal, courage, and liberation. A soulful, expansive dialogue on faith, creativity, and the freedom found in embracing who we truly are. 

You can find more of Thomas' work at: https://www.avant-dharma.com/

In this episode, Winston is joined by Linnea Butler, MS, LMFT — a former research scientist turned trauma therapist and writer who weaves spirituality into her work. Their conversation explores Linnea’s own spiritual journey, her experience with ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and how neuroscience and consciousness studies intersect with soul wisdom. They discuss trauma healing and the search for awe, the role of kindness and community in mental health, and the possibility of personal and collective transformation.

If you would like to follow Linnea's work, you can find her on Substack at:

https://linneabutler.substack.com/

Barbara Brown Taylor is a best-selling author, teacher, and Episcopal priest. Named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, she has inspired readers with her thoughtful reflections on faith and life. In this conversation, we discuss her book Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others and explore how engaging with other religions can deepen and enrich our own spiritual journeys. 

This episode was originally recorded around 2019. 

In this inspiring conversation, I sit down with my good friend Dave Roper — a Human Design coach and follower of Christ — to explore what it means to truly trust the path God has laid before us. We talk about learning to wait for the right opportunities, letting go of the constant grind, and embracing the joy of rest, play, and alignment with who we were created to be.

Dave shares the science behind Human Design, how to approach it from a Christian perspective, and what to say to skeptics. We discuss breaking free from a “slavery mindset,” releasing limiting thought patterns, and living into Jesus’ promise: "my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Along the way, we ask: What would your life look like if you followed your bliss? How can we love ourselves as God loves us? And how do we work with our unique energy type to stay in alignment with our calling?

You can find Dave on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube by searching “Humans by Design” by Dave and Tonya Roper. He offers weekly coaching for $60/week and one-time Human Design chart readings for $150.