Best Foothills Unitarian Podcasts (2025)

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We Are Not Who We Were, Thank God 28:42

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7d ago28:42

28:42

You don’t become a different person overnight—but staying in long-haul relationships has a way of slowly confronting who you were and calling out who you’re becoming. This message from Rev. Gretchen looks at how deep, lasting connections reshape us over time in ways quick fixes never could.By Foothills Unitarian

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Water Ceremony 2025 27:51

14d ago27:51

27:51

This Sunday we share a re-imagined and reinvigorated Water Ceremony ritual for all ages. This tradition was born from UU women 45 years ago who got tired of being told how to worship and decided to create their own ceremony, and this year we take up their mantle as we reinvent this piece of our living tradition in our own way. We explore what it me…

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Truth Won't Hold Still (Rev. Justin Schroeder) 26:20

21d ago26:20

26:20

We gather to celebrate and honor the extraordinary Eleanor VanDeusen, who is retiring after 26 years of ministry in religious education and family ministry at Foothills. Revs. Gretchen, Sean, and Elaine, along with guest minister Rev. Justin Schroeder guide us. Rev. Justin grew up at Foothills and worked with Eleanor as a youth coordinator. He refl…

1
Answering YOUR Questions 53:29

28d ago53:29

53:29

By Foothills Unitarian

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Beyond Belief: Love Demands Everything 26:56

1M ago26:56

26:56

In these days of fear, we must keep asking: what sacrifices must we make to make belonging real? Not just pretty words, but actual bodies fed, actual doors opened, actual love lived out loud. That's the work. That's the fight. Building a belonging so fierce, so wide, so stubbornly inclusive that even our enemies find themselves home.…

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Beautiful and Broken: The World as it Actually Is 26:01

1M ago26:01

26:01

The world is so beautiful - and in the beauty we see the fullness of what is broken. Our living practice invites us to answer the call of beauty, which is justice. This Sunday as part of our Beyond Belief series, The Rev. Mary Katherine Morn joins us at Foothills to dive into that invitation - that tug toward wholeness, even (especially) when every…

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Beyond Belief: Hope Is An Unfinished Story 24:45

2M ago24:45

24:45

Join us as we explore the spiritual practice of hope-making—where faith isn't belief or proof, but the stubborn insistence that we belong to each other, and we're not letting go. In June, Rev. Sean addressed UU General Assembly, where the Liberal Religious Educators Association asked him to share how we approach social change here at Foothills. How…

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Beyond Belief: No One Is Disposable 24:30

2M ago24:30

24:30

In our series that starts this Sunday, Beyond Belief: The Living Practice of Unitarian Universalism, we aren’t offering easy answers or spiritual platitudes. We're asking, what if faith isn't about believing the right things, but about living with courage, curiosity, and radical love? This Sunday, join Rev. Elaine as we begin the series "Beyond Bel…

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Tell It Like It Is: Why I'm a Veteran in the Anti-War Movement 35:15

2M ago35:15

35:15

Allowing yourself to receive information that explodes nearly everything to which you’ve dedicated your life takes tremendous courage. Rev. Shawna Ambrose knew she had to do it, even though it meant letting go of a proudly held identity, a way of understanding the world, a mode of serving the greater good with pride, and connections with family and…

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Tell It Like It Is: Making Peace With My Christianity 33:00

2M ago33:00

33:00

Sometimes, life in religious community can feel like an experience of exile in the exact place where we most deeply yearn to belong. Roger Butts, Unitarian Universalist minister, shares his own journey of coming to peace with his Christian background. Telling of a journey through shame and alienation, Roger shares how he finally found a way to livi…

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Tell It Like It Is: Deconstructing Toxic Evangelical Christianity 32:10

2M ago32:10

32:10

June 15, 2025By Foothills Unitarian

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Tell It Like It Is: The Moment I Knew 32:55

2M ago32:55

32:55

There are moments that cleave our lives into before and after. For some of us, those moments arrive gently, like dawn breaking slowly over familiar landscape. For others, they crash in like lightning—sudden, illuminating, impossible to unsee. In this installment of our Tell It Like It Is series, Jamal Skinner, founder and Executive Director of the …

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Tell It Like It Is: Decolonizing Recovery 26:10

2M ago26:10

26:10

We crave growth and transformation – and yet, we will go to great lengths to avoid actual change. We want to know one another more deeply – but when someone else’s truth challenges our worldview, our first move is often to start building a defense of our own position. Join Rev. Elaine in leading with curiosity and holding your certainties a little …

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Can You Be A UU Conservative? 27:54

3M ago27:54

27:54

Today, Rev. Sean asks a question that can feel impossibly complex to some of us - Can you be a UU conservative? When politics feel like a litmus test for belonging, it’s easy to confuse shared opinions with shared faith. But Unitarian Universalism calls us to something deeper: a covenant that holds space for disagreement, tension, and the holy work…

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Earth Magic: Come Alive 18:18

3M ago18:18

18:18

Today we explore the ways the Earth is constantly inviting us to move from being observers to full participants in the vibrant, living world...but are we ready to receive the invitation? Coming alive may demand everything from us, but we receive everything in return - if only we're able to truly hear the call. Rev. Christopher Watkins Lamb // May 1…

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Earth Magic: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Carbon 43:48

4M ago43:48

43:48

We’ve been taught to find the sacred in what’s far away — untouched trails, quiet forests, pure air — but what if holiness is right here, tangled in the places we share, the bodies we inhabit, and the carbon we exhale? This week, we’re diving into that story that lives beyond dualisms. A story that is about much more than carbon, but about the spir…

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Earth Magic: The Wild Swans 54:26

4M ago54:26

54:26

Folk tales are more than just entertainment. They contain within them seeds of wisdom that help us live with purpose and meaning. In accompanying a sister on a quest to rescue her eleven brothers, what will we learn about ourselves? Join Rev. Christopher Watkins Lamb in an immersive, musical morning as we discover how the Danish tale of The Wild Sw…

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Earth Magic: Awe and the Ecological Self 18:50

4M ago18:50

18:50

Today, we’re diving into the spiritual gifts of awe — that sacred pause that draws us out of ourselves and into the vastness of everything. We’ll remember together that awe isn’t a luxury, but a core human experience that offers us healing, connection, and guides us towards right action. In these times when despair and disconnection encroach, pract…

1
Earth Magic: Unfinished 26:19

4M ago26:19

26:19

This Easter Sunday, we began our new series Earth Magic, rooted in the messy, relentless wisdom of the living world. Rev. Sean began with the Easter story — not the sanitized one, but the version that ends in silence, in fear, in the ache of what’s still unresolved. Because if you’ve looked around lately, you know: we are living in the middle of un…

1
Made For This: Stand By Me 23:11

5M ago23:11

23:11

When caregiving feels invisible, impossible, and isolating, the truth is still this: you were made to care and be cared for. You are part of a sacred human story—one of mutual belonging and deep connection—and your love, your presence, your compassion, are not only enough; they are holy. Rev. Elaine Aron-Tenbrink // April 13, 2025…

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Made For This: Already Home 23:16

5M ago23:16

23:16

Home isn't built with bricks, borders or bureaucracy -- it's built with truth, and too often that truth threatens the systems built on silence and fear. You were made for more than quiet compliance; you were made to live fully, love boldly, and name who already belongs. You have something powerful to offer: the audacity to tell the truth in a world…

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Made For This: After Certainty: Practicing Moral Imagination in Times Like These 36:53

5M ago36:53

36:53

How do we plan for and shape the future using only our limited knowledge of the present? How do we resist the temptation to think that there is one singular strategy or person who can right the ship of our society in these complex times? Join Rev. Elaine Aron-Tenbrink for a special conversation with social ethicist and lifelong activist Dr. Sharon …

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Made For This: Love's Plan (For You) 28:16

5M ago28:16

28:16

Jonah's story isn't just about a runaway prophet - it's about the relentless call of love, the uncomfortable grace that refuses to be contained, and the transformation that happens when we finally face what we've been avoiding. You were made for something more than comfort, more than certainty, more than the walls you've built to keep love at bay. …

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Made For This: Hidden in Plain Sight 21:00

5M ago21:00

21:00

Esther didn’t choose power, but when the moment came, she had to decide: would she risk everything for a greater good? We confront privilege, sacrifice, and the call to step forward—not for ourselves, but for the liberation of others. Rev. Elaine Aron-Tenbrink // March 16, 2025By Foothills Unitarian

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Made For This: Deep Democracy 23:18

5M ago23:18

23:18

The world is full of voices telling you what time it is - who's in charge, what matters, and where you stand - but how do you know who's holding the clock? You weren't made to simply follow someone else's timing; you were made to discern the moment for yourself, alongside others. This message invites you to see beyond your own perspective, embrace …

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Made For This: The Blessing That Takes All Night To Find 21:05

5M ago21:05

21:05

Jacob wrestles through the night, refusing to let go until he receives a blessing. What does it mean to engage in struggle—not as something to avoid, but as a path to transformation? We begin our series with an embodied ritual of wrestling with faith, history, and our call in this moment. Rev. Elaine Aron-Tenbrink // March 2, 2025…

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Them / What Our World Needs Now / August 18th 2024 24:40

1y ago24:40

24:40

How and why we should resist the constant pull towards tribalism and othering, and the genuine good news of Universalism in a polarized age.By Foothills Unitarian

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Breathing Meditation 7:39

1+ y ago7:39

7:39

Rev. Christopher Watkins Lamb leads us in an 8-minute breathing meditation using Sarah Dan Jones's Meditation on Breathing. Rev. Christopher is Foothills Unitarian's Community Minister. Community ministers extend the reach of Unitarian Universalist ministry beyond the congregation.By Foothills Unitarian

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5 Minute Meditation for Self-Compassion 4:28

1+ y ago4:28

4:28

Rev. Elaine Aron-Tenbrink offers a guided meditation to cultivate self-compassion. May this meditation be a reminder that when we are feeling stuck and brittle and can only see the world through a lens of scarcity - when we are most in need of a blessing - we have the capacity to offer a blessing to ourselves. This meditation is adapted from the wo…

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Our Few Worthy Things: 15-minute journaling meditation to discern what matters most 15:34

1+ y ago15:34

15:34

In this 15-minute mini-episode, Rev. Gretchen guides us in a meditation and journaling exercise to notice the things that receive our attention, discern our values, and explore the intersection of the two. What matters most to you? Join us in the tiny shift of noticing the things that matter most so you can then more readily center them in your liv…

1
Guided Meditation for Stress 9:31

1+ y ago9:31

9:31

In this season that is so busy for many, we invite you to a mini-episode of Tiny Shifts where Rev. Sean offers a guided meditation to help us practice moving our bodies through the cycle of emotions and stress. Enjoy the meditation with a visual guide.By Foothills Unitarian

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Is America a Christian Nation? 24:19

2y ago24:19

24:19

In this compelling episode, Rev. Sean fearlessly navigates the divisive discourse surrounding America's identity. Join us as we unpack the prevalent notion of America as a Christian nation and explore the divergent worldviews between Christian Nationalism and progressive theology. Rev. Sean doesn't stop at analysis; he challenges listeners to envis…

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How to REBEL Against Fascism 35:37

2y ago35:37

35:37

Caught in the whirlwind of life's demands, many of us acknowledge the ominous rise of fascism but struggle to carve out the means and time to actively resist it. In this episode, Gretchen presents five actionable strategies for rebelling against the grip of fascism. Join us this week in the tiny shift of noticing where the cult of individualism in …

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AntiFascist Church 1:01:42

2y ago1:01:42

1:01:42

Join Reverend Sean and Reverend Gretchen as they delve into how churches and other relationship-centered communities can resist fascism. Explore how faith communities can serve as crucial bastions of organizing resistance and examine why and how some churches have significantly countered oppressive ideologies throughout history while others have be…

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Is this fascism? And if so, what do we do? 1:01:56

2y ago1:01:56

1:01:56

Welcome to the first episode of the TinyShifts Podcast! Tiny Shifts is your sanctuary for discovering the small but mighty steps that lead to a more courageous, joyous, and loving world. In every episode, we explore a challenge of modern living and a Tiny Shift we can make in response. This episode explores the rise of fascism, Christian Nationalis…

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The First Time Without You: A Conversation About Grief, Memory, and Being Human 26:56

2y ago26:56

26:56

Across numerous cultures, late October and early November mark an intentional time of remembering our ancestors and loved ones who have died. This week's podcast comes from our annual service of remembrance. Guests Joyce and Michael Trujillo share their own experiences of grief and loss, and we explore thegrief connections that remain to our loved …

1
The First Time You Say It 31:55

2y ago31:55

31:55

Rev. Gretchen Haley leads us in exploring the first time we say important words throughout our lives.By Foothills Unitarian Church

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How to fail at the right things 26:24

2y ago26:24

26:24

Rev. Sean explores how Courageous Love requires us to take Courageous Risks. The fear of failure often stems from the misconception that failure equates to being a bad human being. By challenging this notion and reframing failure, Rev. Sean will help us gain tools for leading a life of unleashing Courageous Love.…

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Why are first times so terrible? 48:22

2y ago48:22

48:22

Brené Brown describes a common experience of "first" as TFTs, or Terrible First Times, because first times are usually not at all what we were expecting. Especially when we spent a lot of time looking forward to the first time! First times can make us feel insecure, incompetent, and out-of-sorts. We start to doubt ourselves globally. When really, i…

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Decentered or Erased? 27:34

2y ago27:34

27:34

One of the loudest conversations in our culture today is about the telling of history. Whose voices are included? What perspectives matter? Who is left out? And who decides? The storytellers dramatically shape the story, after all. Join Rev. Sean as he leads us in examining belonging, equality, and the call for repair.…

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Better Walls and the Paradox of Tolerance 29:40

2y ago29:40

29:40

If we assume that democracy and pluralism are fundamental to our society, then we must also assume that anything anti-democratic or anti-diversity is a threat to our society. It is the fundamental paradox of tolerance that is playing out across our nation, not to mention in our families and in our friendship circles. In this episode, we explore the…

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A Guided Meditation for Staying Present with Discomfort 11:15

2y ago11:15

11:15

A 10-minute meditation to stay present in the face of discomfort. Led by Rev. Gretchen Haley. Adapted from Recovery Dharma.By Foothills Unitarian Church

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Cosmos and the Goddess 50:44

2y ago50:44

50:44

Join us for an enlightening conversation featuring Reverend Sean-Neil-Barron, Beckie Wagner, and Dr. Scott Denning. In this episode, we explore the profound empowerment that Earth-based spirituality offers. Learn how connecting with the Earth and the universe around us can ignite our sense of agency in shaping our lives. By remembering and centerin…

1
Holy Spirit Activate 34:56

2y ago34:56

34:56

Rev. Gretchen breaks down the concept of the Holy Spirit and its relevance in Unitarian Universalist theology.By Foothills Unitarian Church

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Awe, Suffering, and the Mysterious God 33:15

2y ago33:15

33:15

Why do bad things happen? And where is God in the suffering? In this week's Deeper pod, Rev. Gretchen explores theodicy and the gift of awe and a mysterious God.By Foothills Unitarian Church

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God and Other Big Questions: Q&A Episode! 1:25:37

2y ago1:25:37

1:25:37

Revs. Gretchen and Sean answer your questions about God and Ultimate Meaning.By Foothills Unitarian Church

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God As Verb: Introduction to Process Theology 52:09

2y ago52:09

52:09

Through open conversation, Revs. Sean and Gretchen introduce process theology which explores God as evolving and unfolding.By Foothills Unitarian Church

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God is Trans 31:19

2y ago31:19

31:19

We delve into the heart of queer theology, exploring how the metaphor and experiences of trans and nonbinary people provide profound insights into understanding the Divine's very nature.By Foothills Unitarian Church

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Why God? 33:41

2y ago33:41

33:41

We explore the universal presence of the concept of God across human civilizations and why the category of God is crucial for living a full life, even for humanists and atheists.By Foothills Unitarian Church

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Why our current conversation on Mental Health falls apart with Dr. Janina E. Fariñas 36:12

2y ago36:12

36:12

Get people talking about the biggest challenges we face, and eventually, the conversation turns to mental health. So why does one of our community's leading neuropsychologists and family therapists believe this is exactly the wrong place to focus our conversation, instead advocating that we turn our attention to belonging? In this episode of The Fo…