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Center For Action And Contemplation Podcasts

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Turning to the Mystics with James Finley

Center for Action and Contemplation

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Turning to the Mystics is a podcast for people searching for something more meaningful, intimate and richly present in the divine gift of their lives. James Finley, clinical psychologist and Living School faculty, offers a modern take on the historical contemplative practices of Christian mystics like Teresa of Avila, Thomas Merton, John of the Cross among others. Leaning into their experiences can become a gateway to hope, healing and oneness. Together with Kirsten Oates from the Center for ...
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Love Period with Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis

Center for Action and Contemplation

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Do you yearn for a new vision of Christianity—one with love and justice at the core of its practice? Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis animates a renewed faith for our times in her new podcast Love Period. As a writer, scholar, activist, and leader of a radically accepting congregation in New York City, Rev. Jacqui brings her devotion, clarity, and energy to this conversational podcast. In conversation with artists, activists, and faith leaders, such as Rev. Barbara Brown Taylor, Wajahat Ali, and many o ...
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Learning How to See with Brian McLaren

Center for Action and Contemplation

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How do we transform and transcend our biases? From judgments made unconsciously to complacency in systemic evil, we must learn how to see if we are to learn how to transform. Center for Action and Contemplation faculty member Brian McLaren hosts the podcast series Learning How to See. Listen and discover how seeing is social, political, and contemplative.
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Contemplify

Paul Swanson | Contemplative Shoveler

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The Contemplify podcast kindles the examined life for contemplatives in the world. Through artful musings & conversations with scholars, creatives, and master teachers each episode delivers a subtly intoxicating* exchange on the contemplative lifestyle with practical takeaways to emulate in daily life. Host, Paul Swanson, is a husband, father and contemplative educator at the Center for Action and Contemplation and co-host of Another Name for Every Thing with Richard Rohr**. *Contemplify is ...
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The Cosmic We with Barbara Holmes and Donny Bryant

Center for Action and Contemplation

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The Cosmic We goes beyond race and racism to consider relatedness as the organizing principle of the universe, exploring our shared cosmic origins though a cultural lens that fuses science, mysticism, spirituality, and the creative arts. Together with prominent cosmologists, shamans, biblical scholars, poets and activists, Center for Action and Contemplation core teacher Barbara Holmes and co-host Donny Bryant unveil the “we” of us beyond color, continent, country, or kinship to conjure unse ...
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Homilies by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM

Center for Action and Contemplation

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Fr. Richard Rohr's Homilies at Holy Family Church, Albuquerque, NM. To see and listen to the entire list of homilies, please visit: https://cac.org/podcast/homilies/ Visit cac.org for additional resources and programs by Fr. Richard and the Center for Action and Contemplation.
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Today, Joash Thomas is back on Found Family, and we're talking about how Jesus’ story starts in the margins—and why that matters for us today. Rev. Joash P. Thomas (MACL, MACS, Dallas Theological Seminary; MPS, The George Washington University) is a public theologian and a highly sought-after international speaker. Born and raised in India, he ran …
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In this first dialogue session Jim and Kirsten focus on the maxims of Brother Lawrence. Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about James Finley, visit his faculty profile ⁠here⁠. The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book we will be using this season can be found h…
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“This book is just what the world needs right now. At a time when tensions are hot, divisions are growing, and uncertainty is the order of the day, Sacred Parenting is a call to reconnect with what matters most: our children, our families, ourselves, and our God. The authors offer gentle wisdom and contemplative practices as antidotes to the high-v…
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Today's guest and I discuss the nuance of relationships and spaces where love and harm coexist. Lauren Smallcomb is a certified Mind-Body Practitioner whose journey as a healer began at 20 when she became a registered nurse, dedicating a decade to caring for patients in the ER. She later expanded her expertise to become a birth doula and, eventuall…
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This is the first session which focuses on Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley reads passages from Carmen Acevedo Butcher's translation of Brother Lawrence's Practice of the Presence, reflects on core themes, and finishes with a meditative practice. Resources: Turning to the Myst…
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This is a repost of my conversation with Dr. Larry Ward. Dr. Ward passed away on August 19 at his home in Rhode Island. He was a Buddhist teacher, author, and co-founder of The Lotus Institute. He left behind a legacy of peace and advocacy for healing individual and collective trauma. I only ever interacted with Dr. Ward online, but his big soul, w…
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Today, I have TWO guests for y'all, and we discuss love and prayer as calls to action, not just nice ideas. Rev. Liz Theoharis and Charon Hribar are both anti-poverty activists. Liz is the founder and director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign. She has been arrested for praying…
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Welcome to Season 12 of Turning to the Mystics. This season we are turning to Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection for spiritual guidance. In this episode, James Finley and Kirsten Oates cover the life and person of Brother Lawrence and discuss how we can work with his ideas to transform our lives. Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by …
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“You can trust Amy Frykholm as a modern-day amma who knows the terrain of the soul. Reading Journey to the Wild Heart is like going out to the desert for a word. It helps us slow down, let go, unknow in Silence, and embody Love.― — Carmen Acevedo Butcher, author of Practice of the Presence Amy Frykholm is a writer and journalist who makes her third…
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What does it mean to cry with God—and be healed by our tears? In this episode of Everything Belongs, we explore Chapter 7 of Richard Rohr’s The Tears of Things, called The Alchemy of Tears: How We Learn Universal Sympathy and Grace, which focuses on the "gift of tears" as a sacred pathway to healing and transformation. At Richard’s hermitage, co-ho…
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"To read a new and selected collection is to experience the evolution of a voice, in this case an essential voice in American poetry. To sit with the whole of these transportive, immersive poems is to awaken like a wild riparian corridor in spring. Wildflowers on the banks. Birdsong in the branches. The reader’s heart is a bud: open. Beautiful work…
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"…Swan's book provides an accessible overview of beguine spirituality in the context of their own times…[it] does a good job of explaining both the beguines' spiritual practices and their continuing legacy." — Commonweal Sr. Laura Swan is a Benedictine sister, spiritual director, author, teacher, and archivist. In our conversation we talk about her…
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How do we learn from imperfect spiritual teachers and embrace our own incompleteness? In this episode, we're exploring Chapter 6 of Richard Rohr's final book, The Tears of Things, titled "Unfinished Prophets: Elijah, Jonah, and John the Baptizer." In an extended conversation at Richard's hermitage, hosts Mike Petrow and Paul Swanson dive deep into …
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Patrick Boland is an author, teacher, coach, and consultant. In our conversation we talk about his book The Contemplative Leader: Uncover the Power of Presence and Connection. Patrick is a whipsmart, strategic thinker with a contemplative heart and presence. Patrick's atypical approach to leadership brings a new vitality to leadership development. …
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“Love calls us to ask a ubiquitous question that happens across all the world's major religions: What does my neighbor need?” In this monologue, Rev. Jacqui Lewis reflects on how love—real, active, justice-rooted love—liberates. Moving through what she calls a "freedom arc" from Juneteenth to Pride to Independence Day, she challenges listeners to s…
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How do we live with hope when the path forward demands surrender? In this episode, we explore Chapter 5 of Richard Rohr’s book, The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage, titled “Jeremiah: The Patterns That Carry Us Across.” Through conversation with Richard, we reflect on the prophetic vocation as a lifelong invitation to move fr…
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Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault is a mystic, teacher, writer, Episcopal priest. In our conversation we talk about her book Thomas Keating: The Making of a Modern Mystic. A book that should not have, but did, surprise me with its brilliance in understanding the route Thomast Keating took on (and off) wellworn mystical maps. And Cynthia has had an outsiz…
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What if love could guide you through anger, injustice, and even the darkest memories? In this episode, Brian McLaren and co-host Carmen Acevedo Butcher reflect on how love, honesty, and contemplative practice can transform even deep wounds. They also respond to a listener’s question: how do we love those who cause harm—especially in politics? Brian…
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Today, Zach W. Lambert and I talk about embracing an expansive Christianity. Zach W. Lambert (he/him) is the lead pastor and founder of Restore, a church in Austin, Texas. Under his leadership, Restore has grown from a launch team of five people in 2015 to more than one thousand members today. He holds a master of theology from Dallas Theological S…
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What wisdom emerges when contemplative action meets radical compassion? In this special bonus episode, we step outside the chapter-by-chapter rhythm of Richard Rohr’s final book, The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage, for a rare and intimate conversation between Fr. Richard Rohr and his longtime friend Fr. Greg Boyle. Together…
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What would change if you could see with eyes of love—even in the face of cruelty, fear, and disagreement? In this episode, Brian McLaren and co-host Carmen Acevedo Butcher sit down with renowned spiritual leader, legal advocate, and activist Sister Simone Campbell for a deeply honest conversation about love, justice, and compassion. They explore ho…
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Today, Ray Low and I talk about welcoming diverse perspectives on the Bible. Pastor Ray graduated from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree and is currently serving in New York City as Director of Community Engagement and Spiritual Formation at Kaleidoscope, a local and multiethnic ministry that exists to bridge the …
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How do we navigate spiritual transformation when everything seems to be falling apart? In this episode, we're exploring Chapter 4 of Richard Rohr’s final book, The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage, titled "Welcoming Holy Disorder: How the Prophets Carry Us Through." After our conversation with Richard, we're joined by Jungian…
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What would change if you believed that active, creative non-violence was the deepest expression of love? In this episode, Brian McLaren and co-host Carmen Acevedo Butcher welcome legendary peace activist, Catholic priest, and author Fr. John Dear for an unflinching conversation about the cost—and the healing power—of universal non-violence. Togethe…
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Today, Nia Chiatamonte is back on Found Family to talk about her new memoir, I Hardly Knew Me: Following Love, Faith, and Skittles to a Transgender Awakening. Nia Chiaramonte (she/her), with her wife Katie J. Chiaramonte, is the co-founder of Love in the Face and co-author of Embracing Queer Family. Nia and Katie work to support other transgender a…
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In this episode, Kirsten and Jim answer listener questions from Season 11, focusing on the teachings of Gabriel Marcel. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Connect with us: This podcast is made possible thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contem…
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How might your life change if you paused more often to unlearn what fear has taught you? In this episode, hosts Brian McLaren and Carmen Acevedo Butcher are joined by Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III. Together, they explore what it means to live with vision in times of struggle—when the path is unclear, but the call to truth and love remains strong. Drawing …
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In this special episode, Jim and Kirsten review the season and offer a way for us to turn to Gabriel Marcel for guidance on our own spiritual path. Resource Section: A transcript for this episode can be found here. A link to the Oneing article Kirsten mentions can be found here. An information sheet on Lectio practice can be found ⁠here⁠. The book …
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How do ordinary moments become portals to the sacred? On this episode of Learning How to See, Carrie Newcomer joins Brian and Carmen for a conversation-and-concert that explores “short-form empathy,” the contemplative power of music, and the everyday practice of seeing, and being seen, through eyes of love. Along the way Carrie performs two beloved…
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Today, Karen González and I talk about practicing generosity without a savior complex. Karen González (she/her) is a speaker, writer, storyteller, and immigrant advocate, who herself immigrated from Guatemala as a child. Karen is a former public school teacher and attended Fuller Theological Seminary, where she studied theology and missiology. For …
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On this special bonus episode, James Finley and Kirsten Oates interview Greg Sadler about the philosophy of Gabriel Marcel, with special attention paid to Marcel's ideas on fidelity, hope, and love. Greg Sadler is the president of ReasonIO, associate editor of Stoicism Today, an APPA-certified philosophical counselor, an adjunct professor at Milwau…
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What happens to your own humanity when you choose to truly see the humanity in others? In this episode, Jesuit priest Father Rafael Garcia joins Brian McLaren and Carmen Acevedo Butcher to explore what it means to see through eyes of love—especially in a world that often teaches us to view immigrants, the incarcerated, and the marginalized with fea…
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Today, Matt Nightingale and I talk about why we need queer only spaces for spiritual conversations. Matt Nightingale (he/him) is a pastor, musician, speaker, writer, and spiritual director from San Francisco’s North Bay Area. He is the founder and executive director of Common Sanctuary, and co-pastor of a progressive American Baptist church called …
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In this fourth dialogue session Jim and Kirsten focus on the theme of Love within the thoughts and teachings of Gabriel Marcel. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book we will be using this season can be⁠ ⁠⁠found here⁠. Connect with us: Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about this season? Email us: ⁠…
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What would change if you believed that grace was at the center of your life? In this episode, Brian and Carmen are joined by longtime friend and public theologian Nadia Bolz-Weber for a conversation about the radical, healing power of grace—and how it reshapes our vision of ourselves, others, and the divine. Connect with us: Have a question you'd l…
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Today, Eugene Kim and I talk about practicing mutuality in church communities. Eugene Kim (he/him) is an ordained minister with over 25 years of experience in local church ministry. However, recognizing the need to rethink traditional models, he discerned the need to step beyond the familiar in order to reimagine how we do “church” from the ground …
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This is the fourth session that focuses on the philosophy of Gabriel Marcel. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley reads passages from Kenneth T. Gallagher's The Philosophy of Gabriel Marcel, reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of this text, and finishes with a meditative practice. Resources: Turning to t…
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How does God enact change when the mainstream seems lost? In this episode, we explore Chapter 3 of Richard Rohr's The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage, "A Critical Mass: The Secret of the Remnant." After our conversation with Richard about God's work from the edges, we're joined by Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, pastor, author, and h…
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In this opening to Season 8, Learning How to See returns with understanding how to see with the eyes of love. On this season, Brian McLaren introduces his new co-host Dr. Carmen Acevedo Butcher—a scholar, translator, contemplative teacher, and birdwatching chocolate lover—and together, they launch the theme for this season: Seeing Through Eyes of L…
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In this third dialogue session Jim and Kirsten focus on the theme of Hope within the thoughts and teachings of Gabriel Marcel. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book we will be using this season can be found here. Connect with us: Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about this season? Email us: podcas…
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Today, Cara Meredith and I talk about what church camp gets right (and wrong) about community. Cara Meredith (she/her) is the author of Church Camp: Bad Skits, Cry Night, and How White Evangelicalism Betrayed a Generation (Broadleaf Books, 2025). She is also a sought-after speaker, public theologian, and development director who found home at a chu…
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This is the third session that focuses on the philosophy of Gabriel Marcel. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley reads passages from Kenneth T. Gallagher's The Philosophy of Gabriel Marcel, reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of this text, and finishes with a meditative practice. Resources: Turning to th…
  continue reading
 
Today, Rohadi Nagassar and I talk about the challenges of creating the belonging we crave. Rohadi (he/him) is a writer predominantly engaging the topics of decolonizing and deconstructing Christianity. Discover Rohadi’s latest book, “When We Belong. Reclaiming Christianity on the Margins.” His podcast on decolonizing Christianity is called: Faith i…
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In this second dialogue session Jim and Kirsten focus on the theme of Fidelity within the thoughts and teachings of Gabriel Marcel. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book we will be using this season can be found here. Connect with us: Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about this season? Email us: p…
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CW: spiritual abuse Today, Aimee Byrd and I talk about finding the courage to admit we were wrong. Aimee (she/her) is an author, speaker, blogger, podcaster and former coffee shop owner. Aimee is the author of several books, including Saving Face, The Hope in Our Scars, Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and Sexual Reformation. Her arti…
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This is the second session that focuses on the philosophy of Gabriel Marcel. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley reads passages from Kenneth T. Gallagher's The Philosophy of Gabriel Marcel, reflects on the qualitative essence of the spirit of this text, and finishes with a meditative practice. Resources: Turning to t…
  continue reading
 
How do we confront systemic injustice without falling into despair or self-righteousness? That's what we're exploring in this episode as we dive into Chapter 2 of Richard Rohr's new book, The Tears of Things, titled "Amos: Messenger to the Collective." Mike and Paul begin by talking with Richard about Amos's unique approach: critiquing the collecti…
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In this first dialogue session Jim and Kirsten focus on core themes from Gabriel Marcel. Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about James Finley, visit his faculty profile here. The transcript for this episode can be found here. The book we will be using this season can be found he…
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