The Growing Edge

Carrie Newcomer & Parker J. Palmer Rebroadcast a podcast recorded in May 2022. In this podcast they explore the poems “What I’ve Learned So Far” by Mary Oliver and “Small Kindnesses”. Danusha Laméris. and revisit a conversation about holding and navigating the "both/and" of complex times—the presence of goodness in the world, but also a clear and present danger, even evil at work in the world.

Join Parker and Carrie for this heart opening conversation with poet, storyteller and wise woman, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer. Rosemerry is a poet, teacher, speaker and writing facilitator who co-hosts “Emerging Form,” a podcast on the creative process.

Join Carrie Newcomer and Parker J. Palmer for a beautiful conversation with author/contemplative photographer Christy Berghoef. Christy is a published author, speaker, mother of four, common good communications consultant, contemplative photographer, musician, wanderer, and wonderer. Christine is a graduate of Calvin College with a degree in Political Science and later a doctor of Ministry in The...

Join Parker J. Palmer and Carrie Newcomer as they explore peacemaking in divided times with David Lamotte. David has a wide-ranging career as a singer-songwriter with a dozen albums and performances across all fifty states and five continents. He’s the author of four books, including two for children. His latest book, You Are Changing the World Whether You Like It Or Not, serves as a textbook in c...

Today Parker and I will be revisiting our conversation with musician, master songwriter, storyteller, multi-instrumentalist, author, activist, seven-time grammy nominee, John McCutcheon. In this episode we explore the power of story, song and what it means to speak with compassion, clarity and a sense of humor in these challenging times You can hear John’s most recent album "A Field of Stars" on S...

Podcast Episode 60: A Conversation with Unitarian Universalist Pastor & Activist Susan Frederick-Gray by Carrie Newcomer & Parker J. Palmer

Please join us for a conversation about historian Timothy Snyder’s book On Tyranny. Carrie and Parker discuss four of the twenty hallmarks of authoritarian governments addressed in Snyder’s clear and informative work. The book is relatively short, but chock-full of insights, stories and practical advice when navigating the very real challenges of our times. We’ll look at the large overarching symp...

Join Parker and Carrie for a conversation about William Stafford’s poem “Cutting Loose”. In this episode we explore the way that disillusionment or feeling lost can bring with it a powerful sense of reality, faithfulness and new direction. Parker and Carrie talk about their own experiences of feeling lost and listening to the sound of the genuine within them. In these challenging times, this is a...

Join Parker and Carrie for a conversation with Notre Dame’s Professor Emeritus of International Peacebuilding, John Paul Lederach, about his Pocket Guide for Facing Down a Civil War. This new booklet draws upon Lederach’s experience as a renowned peace practitioner who has mediated conflicts around the world. Here, he provides thoughtful, sometimes surprising ideas and advice on how to navigate, d...

This month Parker Palmer is taking a sabbatical. This is a re-broadcasting our June 1 2020 conversation with Author/Activist/Filmmaker Valarie Kaur. In this episode we discuss her book " See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love". Two months after the 2016 election, Valarie spoke words that went viral, offering millions of people a lasting image of hope, the kind of hope we sti...

In this episode, Parker J. Palmer and Carrie Newcomer explore May Sarton’s poem, “An Observation.” Gardening is rich with metaphors for a well-lived life. Amend and prepare the soil. Plant the seeds, tend them, and weed out whatever impedes growth. Marvel at the process and share the harvest: we’re here to feed one another as well as ourselves. “An Observation” offers a less obvious metaphor: a we...

In this episode, Parker J. Palmer and Carrie Newcomer have a conversation with author/pastor/theologian Philip Gulley. Gulley is a pastor, an author, a source of wisdom and hope, and a clear and prophetic voice in progressive theology & spiritual activism in these challenging times. He has written 22 books, including the Harmony series recounting life in the eccentric Quaker community of Harmony,...

In this episode Parker J. Palmer and Carrie Newcomer have a conversation with Buddy Huffaker,the Executive Director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation . We discuss the 75th anniversary of Aldos Leapold’s environmental classic A Sand County Almanac. the continuing work of the Leapold Foundation, the concept of Land Ethic, climate change and our individual and community work to heal of our natural world...

In this episode Parker J. Palmer and Carrie Newcomer revisit favorite episode with Author/poet Ross Gay, who has touched countless readers with his books A catalogue of Unabashed Gratitude, Beholding, The Book of Delights, Incitements to Joy, AND The book of (more) delights”. This episode was recorded in December of 2020, and in it we discuss finding, noticing and experiencing delight as a daily p...

In this podcast Parker and Carrie wrestle with when and how we creatively hold the tension of our differences, and when differences are to grievous and do not yield to creative tension holding. We explore the meaning of “We Shall Over Come” and the power of prophetic voice in these challenging times for the democratic system. Carrie also sings the title track “A Great Wild Mercy” from her newest a...

In this podcast, Carrie and Parker speak with Indiana State Senator, Shelli Yoder. We explore together Shelli’s history and vocation in passionate public service, as well as reclaiming the word politics and politician, holding difference and finding common ground. In a time when the most extreme and strident voices are more likely to get media sound bytes, it was deeply moving and encouraging to b...

In this podcast, Carrie and Parker talk about our individual and collective longing for safe and generative community. We’ve always been tugged between our western culture’s drive toward individuality and our desire for a meaningful life together. In this Post-covid time, people are a little rusty at being in community. We are also reassessing what meaningful community looks like and how we choose...

In this podcast, Carrie and Parker talk with author Scott Russell Sanders about his new book Small Marvels. Scott’s work often explores the spirit of place, our relationship with the natural world, and creating communities of care and generosity rather a culture of fear and division. In this episode we talk about what inspired the stories in this lovely work, and share thoughts about the power of...

Parker and Carrie hope you'll join us as we explore the poem "Thanks, Robert Frost" by David Ray. Inspired by the poem, we revisit parts of our history and talk about reframing the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and what has shaped us. Staying true to the facts as best we can, we explore ways of holding our experiences with greater compassion for others and ourselves, valuing all that ...

Join Parker J Palmer and Carrie Newcomer in conversation with journalist/author/poet, Judith Valente and monk/poet/photographer Brother Paul Quenon. We explore their friendship and creative collaborations as well as what it means to be intentional about “being” in a hectic and often uncertain world. Brother Paul Quenon and Judith Valente are co-authors of the books: How to Be: a Monk and a Journal...

In this conversation with Jerry Colonna—co-founder and CEO of Reboot, an international executive coaching and leadership development firm—we range from childhood wounds and the way they can distort our adult roles, to race in America and role leaders can play in helping to build the Beloved Community. Jerry’s new book “Reunion: Leadership and the Journey to Belonging,” explores how being a better...

Parker and Carrie talk about the challenges of staying in dialogue during divisive times, how to claim agency and the courage to stay engaged. Many of us were raised with a household rule to never talk about religion or politics in polite company. In this episode we unpack and reframe the true meaning of the words "religion" and "politics". We explore defining politics as not a listing of current...

In this episode Parker & Carrie explore how to hold and acknowledge the presence of evil and great goodness in our world. In this honest and open hearted conversation they visit two poems that encourage reflection and insights on this topic, holding the tension of the heaviness we sometimes feel and what we can do in our daily lives to maintain perspective and hope.

This month on The Growing Edge podcast. Parker and Carrie talk with Ariel Burger, author, teacher, and artist whose work integrates spirituality, the arts and strategies for social change.  An Orthodox-trained rabbi, Ariel received his Ph. D. in Jewish Studies and Conflict Resolution under Elie Wiesel. We explore topics from Ariel's book Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel's Classroom, his work as f...

This month on The Growing Edge Podcast we will be revisiting our Feb 2021 conversation with John Paul Lederach, Professor Emeritus of International Peace Building, and internationally respected expert in conflict transformation. John Paul describes the stages that lead to violence in a society, as well as the ways people heal and create communal networks of change. In a time when we are all deeply...