Welcome to The Contemplative Life!

Episodes

Aug. 19, 2024

Ep 187 Interruptions or Invitations?

Send us a text Today we explore various times in our lives when we face interruptions, both small and large. We discuss ways we’ve found helpful in reframing them. Support the show
Aug. 13, 2024

Ep 186 Empaths

Send us a text Today we discuss some of the benefits and challenges of those who identify as Empaths. We also note people who do not identify that way but live, work or regularly relate to those who do and how we can learn and grow together. Support the show
Aug. 6, 2024

Ep 185 Seasons of Life

Send us a text Join us as we reflect on the cyclical nature of life and the wisdom our seasons offer us. Support the show
July 30, 2024

Ep 184 Activating & Reactivating

Send us a text Today we explore aspects of activating something new and reactivating former parts of our lives. Discover how these 2 aspects build off each other. Support the show
July 23, 2024

Ep 183 Perspectives from Training: Interview with Linda Hershberger

Send us a text Today we are joined by Linda Hershberger. Learn how empty nesting, relocation and a cancer diagnosis led her to seeking out training as a spiritual guide for others. Support the show
July 16, 2024

Ep 182 Mindsets in Starting A Practice with Grace Schmelzer

Send us a text Today we are joined by spiritual guide, Grace Schmelzer. Learn how a recent graduate (less than 2 years) has started her practice and mindsets faced along the way. Additional Resources: graceschmelzer1@gmail.com Support the show
July 9, 2024

Ep 181 Wisdom from the Generations with Jo Giarrante

Send us a text Today we are joined by spiritual guidance trainer, Jo Giarrante. Together we explore what Jo has learned in her decades of spiritual guidance ministry and hear wisdom as it relates to her hopes for the future of this work. Support the show
July 2, 2024

Ep 180 Contemplative Canoe Trips with Becca Langhough

Send us a text Today we are joined by spiritual guide and avid paddler, Becca Langhough. Learn how she combined her love for canoeing, spiritual direction and outdoor adventure. Additional Resources: becca55nb@gmail.com Support the show
June 25, 2024

Ep 179 Contemplative Figures: Brother Roger of Taize

Send us a text Today we explore a modern contemplative, Brother Roger. Join us as we talk about the inspirational community in Taize, France and how it has captured the imagination of people around the world. Additional Resources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngA8BFbjrE0 Check out past episodes of exploring contemplative figures: The Contemplative LIfe, episodes 130-136 Sign up for our newsletter here: https://foundrysc.com/about/newsletter Support the show
June 18, 2024

Ep 178 Contemplative Figures: Desert Fathers and Mothers

Send us a text Today we talk about the Desert Fathers and Mothers from the 3rd-5th Centuries. Join us as we explore their values of hospitality, storytelling, and the spiritual landscape of the desert. Additional Resources Check out past episodes of exploring contemplative figures: The Contemplative Life, episodes 130-136 Support the show
June 11, 2024

Ep 177 Contemplative Figures: Clare of Assisi

Send us a text Today we discuss the legacy of Clare of Assisi. Learn how her choices as a young teen continue to inspire people today in the areas of focus, mission and care for the poor. Additional Resources Check out past episodes of exploring contemplative figures: The Contemplative Life, episodes 130-136 Support the show
June 4, 2024

Ep 176 Contemplative Figures: Ignatius of Loyola

Send us a text There is much to learn from the lives of contemplative people in history. Today, we explore the legacy of Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Learn how his spiritual exercises continue to influence our modern lives and ways we can apply and adapt for the 21 century. Additional Resources: Pray As You Go app Jesuits Guide to Almost Anything by James Martin, SJ Learning to Pray by James Martin, SJ Support the show
May 28, 2024

E 175 Loving in an Election Year

Send us a text Regardless of your country of origin, election years can be stressful. Join us today as we explore practices that can help us love our neighbors as ourselves. Support the show
May 21, 2024

E 174 4 Lessons from Nature

Send us a text Join us today as we explore 4 ways we are currently engaging in nature. We hope this inspires you to find your own inspiration outdoors. Additional resources: https://www.scottericksonart.com/ https://www.instagram.com/scottthepainter/ Support the show
May 14, 2024

E 173 A Fresh Look at Scripture (with Stephanie Spencer)

Send us a text Today we are joined by Stephanie Spencer, co-founder of the organization 40 Orchards. We discuss the Jewish practice of Midrash, the value of asking questions in community and how to expand our engagement with ancient texts. Learn more at: 40orchards.org Searching the Sacred podcast Support the show
May 7, 2024

E 172 Forest Bathing (with Pastor Zayna Thomley)

Send us a text Today we are joined by Pastor & Certified Forest Bather, Zayna Thomley. We discuss what to expect in a forest bathing session, the importance of community and nature and how to embrace obstacles that might come with the outdoors. Follow Zayna at: https://wisdom-and-wonder.com/ Support the show
April 29, 2024

Ep 171 Goodbyes and Hellos

Send us a text Today is a special episode where we hear from Dr. Kristina Kaiser about her doctoral work with the topic of Joy. It also marks the final episode with Kristina as our co-host, as she plans to focus more time and energy towards this work. Tune in as we learn more about the academic, emotional and spiritual aspects of joy. To follow Kristina: kristinamkaiser@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-kaiser-73a00337/ Sign up for our newsletter here: https://foundrysc....
April 22, 2024

Ep 170 Deconstructing Our Faith

Send us a text Today we are joined by spiritual director Heather Watts exploring the journey of deconstructing faith. We discuss how spiritual guidance can provide space to be heard, wonder together and sit with uncertainties one faces in these seasons. Additional Resources Listening and Caring Skills by John Savage Sign up for our newsletter here: https://foundrysc.com/about/newsletter Support the show
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April 15, 2024

Ep 169 Grief Informed Spiritual Care

Send us a text Today we welcome Dr. Jan Lundy to the podcast who is talking with us about what it looks like to companion people through their grief. Though grief is something many people find difficult to talk about, it's likely that each of us is experiencing loss continually. Join in as Jan shares with us about what it looks like to stay with someone through their experience of wilderness in ways that help us experience integration and transformation. Because grief isn’t meant to be someth...
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April 8, 2024

Ep 168 Mindfulness in Prisons

Send us a text On this week’s podcast we hear from Tom Buhler, a certified spiritual guide offering mindfulness to prisoners. Tom shares with us about the powerful transformations possible when using mindfulness, particularly in the midst of high-stress situations. Join us as Tom relays how formal practice can lead to shifts in perspective that help us become more aware of our thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations so that we can be more empathetic overall. And don’t forget to check out ...
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April 1, 2024

Ep 167 Reverse Golden Rule

Send us a text Many of us have heard that we ought to do unto others as we would have done unto ourselves. But how many of us have heard that we ought to treat ourselves with the same kindness and respect we offer to others? Certainly, loving ourselves sounds good in theory, but the daily practice of it is quite another thing. It can be helpful to ask ourselves: What protective measures have we put in place that now keep us from being in touch with what we really enjoy and need? Join us as we...
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March 25, 2024

Ep 166 Stress vs Stressors

Send us a text Stress is a part of life and can happen in both big and small ways. On today’s podcast, we consider how the contemplative life can help us recognize what’s happening so that we can respond in more balanced ways more and more often. Do you find yourself sometimes feeling flush with emotions? Or, on the opposite side of that, do you sometimes try to ignore emotions in favor of just the facts? When we are feeling more at ease and connected, our brains are able to engage with both ...
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March 18, 2024

Ep 165 Emotional Labor

Send us a text On this week’s podcast, we’re talking about what it takes to be present to those things that are taking up mental real estate in our heads, buzzing in the background, ticker taping through our heads, and the like. Do you sometimes find yourself blowing up when you normally would have been able to remain calm? Having trouble sleeping? Feeling the need to put everyone and everything on mute? All of these, and more, can be signs that you are experiencing undue loads of emotional l...
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March 11, 2024

Ep 164 Recalibrating

Send us a text Do you ever find yourself feeling frustrated or confused about which way to go next? In this episode, we talk about the helpfulness of being able to take a pause as a way of getting our bearings again, whether those pauses are related to something in particular, a season of life, or the need for discernment within a larger group. Wondering if you have enough capacity for what’s being asked of you? Asking questions about how to navigate a tricky situation? Feeling like you’re ju...