Episodes

Join us for our Summer Wisdom Shorts where we share brief thoughts for you to ponder each week. Some of our show notes contain affiliate links. We want to save you the effort of looking up resources + we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.

Join us for our Summer Wisdom Shorts where we share brief thoughts for you to ponder each week. Some of our show notes contain affiliate links. We want to save you the effort of looking up resources + we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.

Join us for our Summer Wisdom Shorts where we share brief thoughts for you to ponder each week. Some of our show notes contain affiliate links. We want to save you the effort of looking up resources + we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.

Join us for our Summer Wisdom Shorts where we share brief thoughts for you to ponder each week. Mentioned in today's episode: For those interested in a checking out spiritual direction to see what it's like contact robertscontemplative@gmail.com to learn more. Some of our show notes contain affiliate links. We want to save you the effort of looking up resources + we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.

Join us for our Summer Wisdom Shorts where we share brief thoughts of wisdom for you to ponder. Mentioned in today's episode: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey Some of our show notes contain affiliate links. We want to save you the effort of looking up resources + we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.

Today we welcome Terra McDaniel to the podcast. Terra inspires us to engage kids in spiritual conversations through her stories and experiences. She offers simple moments and invitations that feel attainable even for toddlers. For those looking to go deeper on this topic, check out her training program and resources listed below. https://www.terramcdaniel.com/ https://www.companioningcenter.org/course/scwc-app-2026 BOOKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE: Tiny Perfect Things Wonder Walkers Noticing M...

Today we have an inspiring conversation with Lacy Finn Borgo. Lacy is an author, spiritual director and teacher who shares beautiful stories of spiritual companionship with children in transitional housing. Her work can be found at gooddirtministries.org Mentioned in today's podcast: Suno AI Riverdance Some of our show notes contain affiliate links. We want to save you the effort of looking up resources + we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.

Often with good intentions, we can easily find ourselves in fix it mode with people we care about in our lives. Today we take a look at how to move from fixing into serving and empowering. Mentioned on today's episode: Spindrift Ginger Lime Mule Some of our show notes contain affiliate links. We want to save you the effort of looking up resources + we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.

Today we conclude our Blast From the Past looking at a literary arc called the Hero/Heroine Journey popularized by Joseph Campbell. Join us as we share how this framework was a helpful part of our spiritual formation. Mentioned in this episode: Brami pasta Rao's sauce Some of our show notes contain affiliate links. We want to save you the effort of looking up resources + we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.

As we celebrate the legacy of St. Patrick on March 17, we are looking through the perspective of dreams, forgiveness and spiritual innovation. Join us as we revisit a previous episode diving into his mystical life. Some of our show notes contain affiliate links. We want to save you the effort of looking up resources + we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.

We are continuing our series called Blast from the Past where we are looking at various books, ideas, experiences that shaped our earlier years of formation. Today we talk about Delerious? and other bands who have influenced us. (And we do sound a bit like hippies in the process…) MENTIONED IN TODAY’S EPISODE Episode 209 Modern Contemplatives: Waterdeep Prizefighter : Mumford and Sons Please check out Christina’s Activity Prayer Book for children: My Spiritual Journey Some of our show notes c...

Join our series "Blast from the Past" as we look at spiritual formation ideas, books and experiences from our earlier decades that we are revisiting on the podcast. Today's "blast from the past" takes us to a book that was foundational in our early 20's called The Making of A Leader by Robert Clinton. Clinton discusses 6 stages of leadership that correlate with decades of our life and offer some interesting perspective. Mentioned in today's episode: Liturgies of the Wild ...

Today we explore ways we might approach looking at our spiritual health. How do we measure that which does not have clear bio markers like we have with our physical health ? Join us as we look at some possible ways to look at ongoing spiritual health and wellness and please reach out at thecontemplativelife.net to share some of your thoughts. Please check out Christina’s Activity Prayer Book for children: My Spiritual Journey Some of our show notes contain affiliate links. We want to save you t...

Today we look at 4 pieces of wisdom from Gen Z. Let’s take a look at what’s trending and how this ancient wisdom shows up in the modern lives of teens. Mentioned in today’s episode: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks Casper Bed What I’m Into: Courting the Wild Twin by Martin Shaw Liturgies of the Wild by Martin Shaw Zoe Health app Please check out Christina’s Activity Prayer Book for children: My Spiritual Journey Please check out Christina’s Activity Prayer Book for children: My Spiritual Journey S...

As we start a new year, managing time is often a topic of discussion and resolution. Today we take a look at 3 different views of time and how it weaves in with a contemplative life. Mentioned in today’s episode: Poem from the book , To Bless the Space Between Us Please check out Christina’s Activity Prayer Book for children: My Spiritual Journey Some of our show notes contain affiliate links. We want to save you the effort of looking up resources + we get a small commission at no extra cost to...

Today we take a different approach from the popular message of living a balanced life and explore the topic of unbalance. We hope it will inspire us to move from feeling swept away with stress and obligations to a life of intention and choice. Mentioned in today’s episode: Christina released a book in partnership with Spiritual Directors International called My Spiritual Journey. From the SDI Website: My Spiritual Journey cultivates the practices of deep listening, gentleness, and contemplatio...

Today we are excited to share that Christina released a book in partnership with Spiritual Directors International called My Spiritual Journey. From the SDI Website: My Spiritual Journey cultivates the practices of deep listening, gentleness, and contemplation, allowing kids to form their own words, pictures, or quiet reflection to cultivate trust with themselves and the Divine. To order a copy for yourself or those you wish to support spiritually check out Amazon Or SDI Press Some of our show n...

Today we explore the idea of inner and outer enoughness. What defines our sense of enough? What are some practices to help us recalibrate towards a sense of enoughness? Join as we explore the importance of this practice in our daily lives. Mentioned in today’s episode: ADVENT CALENDARS Beauty Advent calendars Gemstone Advent calendars Tea Advent calendars Chocolate Advent calendars Some of our show notes contain affiliate links. We want to save you the effort of looking up resources + we get ...

Today we look at 8 ways spiritual direction has personally changed our lives as we’ve engaged in this practice for well over a decade. We hope it can spark something in our listeners who may be considering finding a spiritual director, getting trained in spiritual direction or to use as a resource to share with someone who may benefit from spiritual direction. Mentioned in today’s episode: Egyptian Licorice tea Mica Powder Some of our show notes contain affiliate links. We want to save you the...

Today we explore ancient wisdom around pause and the significance it has in our modern lives. As we share historical context and practical ideas, we hope you are inspired to engage new ways of pause in your own life. Mentioned in this episode: Ep 178 Contemplative Figures: Desert Fathers and Mothers Ep 133 St. Benedict: Mystics/Contemplatives Exploration Some of our show notes contain affiliate links. We want to save you the effort of looking up resources + we get a small commission at no extra...

Today we explore the backstory of Ignatius Loyola and how imagination and daydreaming helped him (and others) get in touch with the movement of the Spirit. We are joined by spiritual director, Phoebe Love, sharing her experiences facilitating groups in the Ignatian Exercises as well as her own story of being shaped by meditating on God’s love. Resources mentioned in this episode: Pray As You Go app Inner Compass by Margaret Silf The Ignatian Adventure by Kevin O’Brien SJ ignatianspirituality.co...

Today, we explore what discernment is and some practical ways to engage this spiritual practice. We highlight several books that have informed our thinking around this topic, as well as episodes 22 & 23, Vocational Discernment Part 1 & 2. To work with us, reach out at robertscontemplative@gmail.com Helpful books on discernment: The Great Work of Your Life by Stephen Cope Falling Upward by Richard Rohr Pursuing God’s Will Together by Ruth Haley Barton The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks The Dream Man...

In this episode, we explore the gifts of neurodivergence within the contemplative life. Join us as we discover how ways of being such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia open fresh pathways to the Divine. Check out some resources for neurodivergence mentioned on The Contemplative Life blog. AUDIBLE LEARNERS Kindle Kindle has the ability to read books to you. This has been a game changer for those who find reading cumbersome but desire to read books or have a screen free wind down option a...

Today we discuss the value of integrating special experiences and learnings into our daily lives. We look at some examples from our own lives, as well as beginning to explore Ken Wilbur’s Integral Theory. Mentioned in this episode: What I Am Into: Backgammon