Welcome to The Contemplative Life!

Episodes

Feb. 4, 2025

E 210 Modern Contemplatives: Dave Schmelzer

Send us a text We are concluding our series exploring the lives of modern contemplatives who have helped shape our spirituality. Today we are joined by Dave Schmelzer. Dave has been a colleague and friend for almost 2 decades and has been instrumental in helping us grow our contemplative awareness. Check out his work at: https://www.journey-on.net/ https://www.blueoceanfaith.org/ Support the show
Jan. 27, 2025

E 209 Modern Contemplatives: Scott Erikson

Send us a text We are continuing our series exploring the lives of modern contemplatives who have helped shape our spirituality. Today is the artist Scott Erikson. Check out his work at: https://scottericksonartshop.com/ Instagram: Scott the Painter Support the show
Jan. 21, 2025

E 209 Modern Contemplatives: Waterdeep

Send us a text We are continuing our series exploring the lives of modern contemplatives who have helped shape our spirituality. Today is the band Waterdeep with the music of Don and Lori Chaffer. We encourage you to check out some of their music at https://www.waterdeep.com/ or their youtube channel. Support the show
Jan. 14, 2025

E 208 Modern Contemplatives: Barbara Brown Taylor

Send us a text We are continuing our series exploring the lives of modern contemplatives who have helped shape our spirituality. Today is Barbara Brown Taylor. We encourage you to check out some of her writings. Mentioned in today’s episode were Altar in the World and Learning To Walk in Dark. Learn more at https://barbarabrowntaylor.com/ Support the show
Jan. 7, 2025

E 207 Modern Contemplatives: John O’Donahue

Send us a text Today we kick off a new series for 2025 exploring the lives of modern contemplatives who have helped shape our spirituality. We start with the Irish poet John O’Donahue. We encourage you to check out some of his writings, particularly To Bless The Space Between Us. Learn more at www.johnodonohue.com Support the show
Dec. 31, 2024

E 206 3 Lessons from 2024

Send us a text We close out the year sharing 3 lessons we’ve learned in 2024. We hope our reflections invite you to engage in your own time of considering what 2024 offered you. Support the show
Dec. 24, 2024

E 205 Beyond The Christmas Carol

Send us a text Join us today as we talk about the backstory of Charles Dickens and his creation of this classic. We explore the creative process, shadow sides and more. Support the show
Dec. 17, 2024

E 204 Revisiting the Winter Solstice

Send us a text Winter seasons, whether they be literal or figurative, have much to offer us. Join us as we revisit the topic of Winter Solstice and how we are engaging this transitional time in the Northern Hemisphere. (For listeners in the Southern Hemisphere, feel free to check out episode 74 when we talk about the Summer Solstice.) Support the show
Dec. 10, 2024

E 203 Value of Masterminds

Send us a text Join us as we talk about mastermind groups. We explore some of the key elements and benefits of these groups and hope you feel inspired to check out some of our offerings. Learn more at christina@foundrysc.com Support the show
Dec. 3, 2024

E 202 Wanting For More

Send us a text Today we explore the concept of wanting for more and how desire is not necessarily selfish or greedy. We discover ways gratitude and wanting for more co-exist. Support the show
Nov. 26, 2024

Ep 201 Limited Eating

Send us a text Join us as we delve into the topic of limited eating and its various causes. We explore situations like food allergies, dietary choices, religious practices, and situational constraints like travel and emotions that often follow. Support the show
Nov. 19, 2024

Ep 200 Spirituality of Healthy Eating with Betsy Gonwa

Send us a text Today, we are joined by spiritual guide Betsy Gonwa to discuss the intersection of food, spirituality, and health. We hope you find inspiration from her story and the ways healthy eating impacts our daily lives. Learn more at listeningspacemke.com Support the show
Nov. 12, 2024

Ep 199 4 Ways We Relate to Food

Send us a text We are continuing our series about food, looking at 4 common ways we relate to food. Check out Ep 198, Spirituality of Food, for the first part of the series. Support the show
Nov. 5, 2024

Ep 198 Spirituality of Food

Send us a text Food is something every single one of us interacts with regularly. Join us as we take what might seem like a mundane part of life and explore some of the spiritual implications. Support the show
Oct. 29, 2024

E 197 Contemplative Practices in An Election Year

Send us a text As the US is in an election week, we are reminding ourselves of some helpful spiritual practices Support the show
Oct. 22, 2024

E 196 MythBusters, Part 2

Send us a text Join us for Part 2 where we continue the conversation from last week around common questions and ideas about spiritual direction and contemplative spirituality. For part 1, please check out Episode 195. Support the show
Oct. 15, 2024

E 195 MythBusters, Part 1

Send us a text We have collected a few common questions and ideas about spiritual direction and contemplative spirituality. Join us as we address some myths and help expand our understanding around the benefits of spiritual guidance. Support the show
Oct. 8, 2024

E 194 Spiritual Direction in Europe

Send us a text Today we have the honor of interviewing one of the leaders of Spiritual Directors Europe, an organization that networks and trains spiritual guides across that continent. Join us as Rafael Maria Theuvenet shares about spiritual direction in the Netherlands, as well as other parts of Western Europe. Support the show
Oct. 1, 2024

E193 God Showing Up At Work: 3 Stories

Send us a text Today we hear from an interior designer (Carol), bus driver (Chris) and non profit worker (Abbie) about ways they are seeing God show up in their work and everyday lives. We hope you find inspiration in your own life and work. Support the show
Sept. 24, 2024

Ep 192 Fifth Season: Late Summer

Send us a text Today we learn wisdom from Ancient Chinese Medicine about the shortest season and how we might engage with it. Even though most of us follow a four- season calendar, we hope you find ways to contextualize this fifth season. Support the show
Sept. 17, 2024

Ep 191 The Importance of Place

Send us a text There is something deeply spiritual about places and our orientation to particular places. Poets, photographers, and families remind us of their importance and meaning. Join us as we explore our relationship with place through a contemplative lens. Support the show
Sept. 10, 2024

Ep 190 Seeking Shalom in our Neighborhoods (With Justin Markofski.

Send us a text Today non-profit community director, Justin Markofski, shares insights on what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves. He dives into the delight of deepening our love of God and how that overflows into the community around us. Support the show
Sept. 3, 2024

Ep 189 Speed of Life

Send us a text Today we talk about the speed of life. Join us as we explore a topic that comes up over and over again and has relevance for our daily living. Support the show
Aug. 27, 2024

Ep 188 Resource Netting

Send us a text Today we explore the idea of resource netting, a term first heard by the author Greg McKeown and then built upon by Martha Beck & poet, David Wythe. Join us as we look at our resource rich world and the contemplative invitations for us in it. Support the show