Growing in Faith, Hope, and Love

In this podcast we explore how living with illness teaches essential truths and wisdom about the human condition, while inviting us to deeper trust in God and solidarity with others.

Jesus was born in a stable - the messiest, smelliest of places!  Likewise, God desires to be born in what we deem the least desirable, "smelliest" places in our hearts.  Our podcast explores how we can welcome the Divine Child into the places of woundedness, shame, and pain; those areas within that are most in need of transformation.

We explore the emotions that give rise to procrastination as well as perspectives on how might conquer this form of self-sabotage.

Many "energy vampires" are now at play in our lives - mask wearing, toxic politics, and a sense that we are "wandering in the desert."  All this creates a chemistry that devours a great deal of emotional and spiritual energy, leaving us feeling exhausted.  We name a few of these realities, as well as ways we can enhance our self-care.

We see that a careful reading of the Bible reveals that it was in Africa that major moments of salvation history unfold.  As we contemplate this reality, we might allow the furniture of our imagination regarding the Bible to be rearranged a bit.

Events unfolding in our national politics have created an opportunity to face an aspect of personal shadow.  With God's grace, we can respond with charity and compassion, truth and justice.

We explore strategies for managing codependent "takers" and ways we can channel deeper, more authentic compassion for ourselves and others.

When relationships are characterized by codependence, "the giver" feels a sense of responsibility for "the taker's" emotions, behaviors, and choices.  In codependency, the stress of the situation dictates responses, rather than the inner voice of truth and wisdom.  We briefly explore some signs that might be invitations to healing and self-knowledge.

The "Messiah Complex" says, "My loved one is lost and it's my job to save them."  There is only one entity, however, with the power to save, and it's not you!  We explore some manifestations of the complex and ways we can begin to move on from this unfruitful way of relating to others.

Finding joy  in life, fostering healthy relationships, and being fruitful requires  that we nurture our emotional maturity.  We explore some traits of the  emotionally mature.

We explore the psychology and shadow spiritual energy of a growing problem in our culture - belief in conspiracy theory.

Complaining can be a way of blowing off steam, bonding with peers, expressing feelings of inadequacy, or giving voice to deeper soul issues that cry out for attention.  Our reflection will explore reasons for complaining, signs of unhealthy complaining, and when complaining might be an opportunity for grace and growth.

Do you find yourself disproportionately triggered by certain people?  Is there a person or group you irrationally blame for your and the world's ills?  Our reflection invites us to ask in these moments of provocation, "What have I rejected of myself that I see so clearly in the other?"

We inherit from our ancestors their unresolved trauma and wounds.  If we remain unconscious of it, we will be frustrated in our efforts to live a full life, and we will pass on dysfunctional dynamics to those who come after us.  We can make a choice to wake up, stop the toxic patterns, and heal.

Confederate statues are coming down.  We now have an opportunity to create new symbols that inspire reconciliation and transformation.  We explore some spiritual and emotional currents moving through this moment.  

While there are no excuses for this destructive behavior, there are reasons.  We unpack some of the possible spiritual and emotional energies at work in these chaotic moments.

  We explore the American collective shadow.  What are the uncomfortable truths about ourselves as a nation that we ignore, deny, and repress?  If we are going to be a truly great country, we will work to integrate our shadow - a difficult and humbling task, but sure to be transformative and healing. If you find these podcasts helpful, I urge you to visit the website of my friend and mentor Br. Don Bisson, FMS.  Don has a great collection of talks and reflections on spiritual topics.  (Much of what I pass on to you through my podcasts and classes I learn from him!)  Don is the best!  http://www.donbisson.com/

Bringing our shadow to consciousness is an essential task of the spiritual journey.  We explore ten ways we can do our shadow work.

   Powerful, chaotic, but potentially transformative energies are coursing through our country right now.  In this episode we explore the spiritual dimension of this pivotal moment, and how each of us can contribute to healing and renewal by confronting our shadow side.

We all struggle with events, people, emotions, thoughts, and memories we'd rather not know.  Our defense mechanisms can help us to function, but in their shadow side can lead us to avoid neccesary engagement with life's messy realities.  This podcast episode briefly names 10 common defense mechanisms.

"What got into me?  I'm beside myself!"  When we say this in response to something we've said or done, we are experiencing the "inner committee" at work.  We explore the voices and energies within that seek to influence our choices.

Self forgiveness is among the most difficult and harrowing of spiritual tasks.  We explore why this is so difficult, some common resistances to self-forgiveness, the difference between healthy and unhealthy guilt, and a meditation practice that nurtures an open heart to self forgiveness.  

Forgiveness is a journey, not a one time event.  We explore what forgiveness is - and is not - and how we go about this difficult but sacred work.

Our maturity will never be a finished product; it is a life-long project.  In this podcast we seek to new some tasks we are called to tend on the journey of maturing.

We explore what it means to nurture a soulful friendships in these extraordinary times.

We explore how our dreams can give us wisdom, guidance and insight during these extraordinary times.

We explore how we tend to make unconscious contracts with God and how times like these disturb that image of God (and other images to which we might cling).

We explore Easter Vigil as liminal space, a threshold time where we are betwixt and between two worlds, like where we are in history right now!

We explore how Jesus gives his death away as his final gift to the world, and how we might do likewise.

We explore Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane as a symbol for his empathy with us in suffering and fear, anchoring himself in a greater power, and the call to "watch."

What are some of the learnings we see bubbling up already?  This podcasts briefly explores 10 emerging truths in this extraordinary moment.

This episode explores how men cope with crisis and the particular emotional challenges men might face in extraordinary times.

When we have to live in close quarters with people in a time of inactivity and stillness, a variety of issues are stirred.  This episode explores how we might navigate this extended Sabbath time.

We need to know what's going on in the world today, but too much news can engulf us in anxiety.  This episode explores why we might moderate our consumption of news in these times.

With COVID 19 we've entered Kairos time, an opportune time to listen for life's invitations.