In this conversation, Faithe and Stephanie welcome Sarah Vetter to explore the “dark night of the soul,” a season when the familiar ways we have known God, ourselves, and the world begin to fall apart.

Sarah, a minister in the United Church of Christ, shares from her own experience of spiritual disorientation, loss of old maps, and the slow, mysterious transformation that can happen when certainty gives way to surrender. Drawing on the wisdom of John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Gerald May, and her own lived journey, Sarah describes the dark night less as divine abandonment and more as a process of being remade by love.

The conversation moves through spiritual consolation and its absence, the difference between depression and the dark night, motherhood as a disruption of former prayer rhythms, the ache of disorientation, and the surprising emergence of a deeper, subtler sense of God. Sarah offers the image of water tumbling down a mountain, disappearing into limestone, and eventually rising as a clear, life-giving pool, an image of purification, mystery, and trust.

The episode also explores how this inner transformation shapes presence, compassion, ministry, intuition, and the way we accompany others. Sarah names “pre-compassion” as a kind of grounded love that exists before choice or action, a way of seeing others from the deep truth of their belovedness.

For anyone who has felt spiritually lost, undone, or unsure whether the old maps still work, this conversation offers companionship, honesty, and hope. The dark night may be painful, but it may also be part of love’s hidden work, transforming us by love, into love.

Resources mentioned:

Gerald G. May, The Dark Night of the Soul: A Psychiatrist Explores the Connection Between Darkness and Spiritual Growth
https://bit.ly/3QQWpHV

St. John of the Cross, Dark Night of the Soul
A public-domain version of the spiritual text/commentary on the online Christian Classics Ethereal Library.
https://bit.ly/4vqiTOx

Teresa of Avila, Interior Castle / The Mansions
A public-domain online version available through Christian Classics Ethereal Library.
https://bit.ly/4gba8nm

Integral Christian Network / Integral Spirituality Network Practices
Sarah mentions a guided meditation practice that moves awareness through different “centers of spiritual knowing,” including head, heart, womb/gut, and feet.
https://bit.ly/3SUVp6h

Whole-Body Mystical Awakening Guided Meditation
The meditation Sarah described which moves through head, heart, spiritual womb, and feet.
https://bit.ly/4oWvxD3

In this conversation, Faithe and Stephanie explore the “wild holy” — the moments of stillness, trust, and natural flow. They talk about slowing down, noticing what’s beneath the surface, and finding hope that isn’t dependent on external circumstances.

The discussion moves between the power of quiet, the strength of intuition, and the importance of community. Faithe and Stephanie reflect on how spiritual practices can create room for deeper truth to emerge, and ponder living between religious structure and the holy wilderness and whether this offers a more authentic spiritual life for some. They also touch on what it might look like to "rewild" religion, the risks of unrecognized idolization, and the tension between control and openness.

The episode closes with a grounding meditation, led by Stephanie, designed to help listeners soften, breathe, and reconnect with what feels real and trustworthy. Whether you’re navigating spiritual burnout, rethinking old beliefs, or simply craving a little more space to listen, this conversation offers company for the journey.

Join us as Jess Leone shares her transformative journey from EMT and 911 dispatcher to energy practitioner and intuitive guide. Discover how she unlearned conditioning, embraced her dark feminine, and empowers women to reclaim their space, anger, and authenticity.

ResourcesJess Leone's Website - https://jessleone.comHot Takes on Healing Podcast - https://jessleone.com/podcastThe Women Who Run With The Wolves (Book)

In this episode of the Wild Holy Podcast, we delve into the life journey of Sara, a pastor who aims to embody the dynamic interplay between contemplation and action. Sara's path led her through various spiritual communities, ultimately finding her calling in progressive Christianity as an ordained minister with the United Church of Christ. Her story provides an example of how to navigate the complexities of faith, activism, and the pursuit of justice. Join us as Sara shares her experiences from her time in Palestine, her work with Mass Equality, and her commitment to fostering inclusive spiritual communities. Discover how Sara's engaged spirituality inspires her to act with compassion and conviction in a world that often challenges our deepest beliefs. Tune in for this conversation which explores the sacred connection between inner reflection and outward action.Resources mentioned in this podcast:Subscribe to Sara’s Substack, “West Bank Reflections” 🔗 https://substack.com/@sofnerRead, “The Good Book: Reading the Bible With Mind and Heart” by Peter Gomes to learn more about what the Bible really says about women, gays and lesbians, and people of color...it's not what you often hear from Christians.🔗 https://a.co/d/gLNZ8RWGive to World Central Kitchen: They are actively feeding people in Gaza, ensuring that donations go directly to providing food.🔗 https://wck.org/Give to Middle East Children's Alliance (MECA): This organization helps children in Gaza, the West Bank, and across the Middle East.🔗 https://www.mecaforpeace.org/Give to HEAL Palestine: They work to get injured children out of Gaza for medical treatment in other countries, especially those requiring complex surgeries.🔗 https://www.healpalestine.org/🎵 Music Credit:The music used in this episode was written and recorded especially for The Wild Holy Podcast by the multi-talented and amazing, Jaedon. ❤️

In this reflective episode of the Wild Holy Podcast, hosts Stephanie and Faithe celebrate the conclusion of their first season by revisiting the heartfelt stories shared by their guests. They explore themes of vulnerability, divine communication, and the impact of personal experiences on spirituality. The conversation highlights the importance of humor, the role of desire, and the beauty found in imperfection, all while looking forward to new insights and conversations in the upcoming season.

🎵 Music Credit:

The music used in this episode was written and recorded especially for The Wild Holy Podcast by the multi-talented and amazing, Jaedon. ❤️

Join us on the Wild Holy Podcast as we delve into Amanda's remarkable journey from her roots in Arkansas to the vibrant streets of New York. Raised in an offshoot of Mormonism, Amanda shares her story of spiritual exploration, artistic expression, and the quest for authenticity. Discover how her experiences have shaped her understanding of faith, community, and the divine, and how she found her true self along the way. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about courage, curiosity, and the power of coming home to oneself.

🎵 Music Credit:

The music used in this episode was written and recorded especially for The Wild Holy Podcast by the multi-talented and amazing, Jaedon. ❤️

In this episode of the Wild Holy podcast, we delve into the intersection of faith and neurodivergence with Shannon, a vibrant soul who grew up amidst the strong women of an Iowa farm and a guitar-strumming Lutheran faith. Join us as Shannon shares her journey of questioning inherited religious norms, embracing her neurodivergent identity, and finding a unique connection to the divine. Through candid conversations, we explore themes of belonging, the challenges of purity culture, and the profound impact of community and love. Whether you've ever felt spiritually left behind or are curious about the diverse ways faith can manifest, this episode offers a beacon of hope and understanding. Tune in to discover how the holy can meet us in the most unexpected places.

🎵 Music Credit:The music used in this episode was written and recorded especially for The Wild Holy Podcast by the multi-talented and amazing, Jaedon. ❤️

In this episode of the Wild Holy Podcast, hosts Faithe and Stephanie engage in a deep conversation with Paul, a contemplative pastor, artist, and musician. They explore Paul's early spiritual formation, the role of music and outdoor ministry in his life, and his journey into ministry. The discussion delves into the importance of creating inclusive church communities, the transformative power of silence and stillness, and the significance of Centering Prayer as a spiritual practice. Paul shares his experiences working with incarcerated individuals and the wisdom found in community, emphasizing the need for grounding techniques in ministry. The episode concludes with an overview of the Centering Prayer method, inviting listeners to explore their own spiritual practices.

In this episode of the Wild Holy podcast, hosts Stephanie and Faithe engage in a transformative conversation with Jess, an intuitive seeker who shares her journey from a traditional Catholic upbringing to embracing spirituality through practices like Reiki and Oracle cards. Jess discusses her personal upheavals, including a divorce and career changes, and how these experiences led her to explore energy healing and the unseen realms. The conversation emphasizes the importance of trusting one's intuition, recognizing signs from the universe, and embracing change as a path to personal growth and spiritual deepening.Oracle card resources as mentioned in the episode:Rebecca Campbell Oracle Card Decks - https://bit.ly/44t8VAdStephanie's Oracle Card recommendations - https://bit.ly/44zCgJkThe Bell and Raven (located in CT) - https://bit.ly/3ItkvUyMondazzi Book, Bead, and Crystal (located in CT) - https://bit.ly/4nAKYzLTea and Tarot (located in CT) - https://bit.ly/44gTL2bMusic Credit:Music used in this episode was written and recorded by the multi-talented, Jaedon.

In this episode of the Wild Holy Podcast, hosts Faithe and Stephanie engage in a profound conversation with Lauren, a pastor and certified forest therapy guide. They explore the concept of the 'wild holy' and how nature has shaped Lauren's faith journey. The discussion delves into her experiences with sacred spaces, the significance of thin places, and the transformative practice of forest therapy. Listeners are invited to reflect on their own encounters with the divine in nature and the importance of community and individual spirituality.

You can discover more about Lauren at www.laurenostrout.com, where she offers spiritually insightful writing, nature photography, and opportunities to experience forest therapy.