Time & Other Thieves

By Sarah B.Religion & Spirituality Spirituality

Time & Other Thieves episodes

December 06, 2023 December 2023
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In this episode, I talk about the obligatory gift-giving insanity that is Christmas (reminding you that you don't have to participate!), and I read an essay my husband recently wrote about climate change. I also share my experience of participating in National Novel Writing Month (a.k.a. NaNoWriMo) and of attending my first Buddhist lay minister ordination ceremony. Lastly, I discuss what I've been reading—namely, Thomas Merton's autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain (finally finished it!) and The Sun magazine.

46 min
November 21, 2023 Thanksgiving Day
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In this "bonus" episode, which originally aired in radio format on November 25th, 2021 (and which I've only just now converted to podcast format), I discuss Thanksgiving the holiday, as well as the practice of giving thanks. I explore the history of the holiday, which actually has very little to do with the meal shared by Pilgrims and Wampanoags in 1621. That was more of a celebration than a thanksgiving, as (at least for the Pilgrims) giving thanks typically entailed fasting and quiet contemplation. In reading about the true origins of this holiday, I realized how thoroughly Christian it is, and what a large role religion originally played in US government, and how much more willing to go without certain creature comforts the American people used to be.
35 min
November 01, 2023 November 2023
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In this episode I briefly discuss the bullshit that is war of any kind and I pay brief homage to Matthew Perry (R.I.P.) before reflecting on some favorite passages from Rainer Maria Rilke's Letters to a Young Poet and Mason Currey's Daily Rituals: How Artists Work. In reflecting on what Rilke calls "the happiness of being a beginner," I announce my intention to begin writing a novel this month—and to complete 50,000 words of it—as a first-time participant in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). And in sharing some gems from Daily Rituals, I discuss some of my own sacred routines, as well as some words of wisdom on discipline and inspiration from Gustave Flaubert, Steve Reich, Samuel Beckett, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Bernard Malamud.
42 min
September 06, 2023 September 2023
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In this episode, I mostly talk about Luis Rubiales, whom I'd never even heard of prior to the infamous kiss he planted on the lips of Jenni Hermoso after Spain won the World Cup last month. I also talk about the books I've been reading (and listening to), and the recent epiphany I had (again) about meditation.
31 min
August 07, 2023 August 2023
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Don't be fooled by the photo for this episode! I only talk about Make Your Schools Work for a few minutes near the end, but it's the only book I say much of anything about for this installment, and I needed something to take a picture of... I thought about snapping a shot of my bare belly, because I devote a good amount of time to exploring that topic here—women's bellies in general—but that would have felt way too vulnerable in way too many ways! So here I am with my sweet boy dog Tyke and a random-as-hell recent book purchase. In this episode I also talk about my family trip to Topsail Island, my discovery of an implicit bias I carry against women philosophers, some thoughts on climate change, and my continued adversity in the realm of physical health, which has led me to get curious about menopause, and due to my resulting google searches I've been seeing lots of ads aimed at menopausal women and they are BULLSHIT. This episode's got a good long rant about what they call "meno belly"—the extra fat around their middle that many women acquire during menopause. I talk about how this fat serves a valuable, health-supporting purpose, and I denounce the ridiculous notion that menopausal women should have flat stomachs. We shall never again be as we were, y'all. And that can be a beautiful thing!
59 min
July 09, 2023 July 2023
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In this episode, I explore some more ideas from the Alain de Botton book The Consolations of Philosophy, focusing on the surly sentiments of Schopenhauer and on Nietzsche's admonition to "live dangerously!" Happiness isn't about being safe all the time; nor is it about being comfortable or...well...happy. I also talk about the Medicine Buddha and the mantra associated with that archetype: TAYATA, OM BEKADZE, BEKADZE, MAHA BEKADZE, RADZA SAMUNGATE SOHA. I've recently been invoking him/it, trying to support my own healing (the "physical inadequacy" continues!) and that of those I love. Lastly, I discuss some ideas from the book Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit, by Robert E. Kennedy, Jesuit priest and Zen roshi. This episode has bells!
27 min
June 14, 2023 June 2023
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In this episode, I talk about my new fascination with ghostwriting, which has inspired me to listen to Prince Harry's memoir and to read Andre Agassi's autobiography, both of which were ghostwritten by J.R. Moehringer, who recently wrote a compelling article about his ghostwriting experiences in The New Yorker. I also explore my recent attempt at watching The Handmaid's Tale TV series, which I abandoned early on into season two, opting for the novel instead, which I found a much more enjoyable form of entertainment. Another book I discuss is The Consolations of Philosophy, by Alain de Botton, focusing mostly on the section about Seneca, and the consolations he offered for frustration. I talk at great length about my recent, first-ever meditation retreat, the inherent challenges of which were exacerbated first by a head cold and then by biblical rain, chilly temperatures (in late May!), and some unfortunate sleeping accommodations. Lastly, I share my struggles with some recent minor health issues, revisiting de Botton's book and what Montaigne had to say about "physical inadequacy." And in my enduring rebellion against artificial intelligence, I revisit J. Krishnamurti's The Awakening of Intelligence by reading a few passages from it.

1 hr
May 07, 2023 May 2023
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In this episode I talk about my first freelance editing gig (and also my last, with this particular company); rant about ChapGPT and AI in general; rave about TOOL's 2001 album, Lateralus; and of course address some ideas from stuff I've been reading, including Pema Chödrön's Start Where You Are.
36 min
April 01, 2023 April 2023
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In this episode I talk about my continuing interest in all things editing and my deepening passion and appreciation for books, both for the education and entertainment they provide and for the quiet and solitude implied by being able to read them. I discuss my ever-evolving relationship with writing, and the realization that just because one is good at something doesn't mean they should make it their life's focus. I also share some of my thoughts and feelings about the recent school shooting in Nashville.
32 min
March 04, 2023 March 2023
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In this episode, I reflect on the living and learning that's happened in the past month in regards to my writing practice, which, as writing practices often do, is informing the rest of my life. Thanks to a book by Philip Gerard called Creative Nonfiction: Researching and Crafting Stories of Real Life, I've decided to incorporate more research into my writing. Two topics I've researched are regret and noise pollution, so I talk about some of those search results. (Did you know that some of the loudest noises humans make, happen under water? It's hideous! People are the worst!) In this episode I also share some updates on my journey toward becoming a freelance editor.
26 min

About Time & Other Thieves

From the publisher's feed

Reflections and conversations on the nature of existence. Sarah B. explores philosophical, spiritual, and religious ideas as they're presented in various books.

In late July…