Johanna Bear Armstrong

Earth Makers: Queer Dharma, Human Stories, and Recovery.

Religion EN ↓ 262 episodes

Welcome to Earth Makers! Join creator/host, movie nerd, and Buddhist practitioner, Johanna Bear, and her partner Jenn Kelly, as they hold space around messy human stories, the Dharma, and recovery. Earth Makers is a conversation between two queer women, one trans and one cis, who are wrestling with what it means to show up authentically in a world full of distractions and suffering. Come join the conversation!

Author

Johanna Bear Armstrong

Episodes

“On the Floor with a Pencil in Her Ear.” 13.03.2020 14:36

We reflect on a question asked by Sufjan Stevens and an answer from a systematic theologian in these chaotic and anxious times. Song - “Oh God, Where Are You Now? (In Pickerel Lake? Pigeon? Marquette? Mackinaw?)” from Greetings from Michigan, The Great Lake State (Asthmatic Kitty Records, 2003)

Serenity Prayer 12.03.2020 10:34

We reflect on our fears and anxieties surrounding the coronavirus by praying Reinhold Niebuhr’s Serenity Prayer together.

Shepherd of the Question Mark & Jeweler of the Surprise 11.03.2020 14:25

We reflect on hard questions from therapists and where we can go to let our guard down.

Aimlessness 10.03.2020 11:39

We reflect on the power of Aimlessness from the Buddhist wisdom of the venerable Thich Nhat Hanh.

Yellow 09.03.2020 6:53

We reflect on different types of nature and grace with the help of Mary Oliver’s poem, Yellow.

Mother Bear: Letters of Care for Revolutionaries (Trailer) 08.03.2020 0:59

Go In 08.03.2020 15:04

We reflect on the poem Go In by Steve Garness-Holmes and on the beauty of God as Earth Maker, Pain Bearer, and Life giver.

“It Is Not Working for Me” 07.03.2020 14:31

We read an excerpt from Christian Wiman’s essay, My Bright Abyss (2013), and reflect on the difficulty of the God concept in the midst of life’s pain.

Mystery 06.03.2020 8:42

We reflect on Naomi Shihab Nye’s poem, Mystery.

Beloved is Where We Begin 05.03.2020 5:45

The podcast has changed. Each day, let’s remember there is earth and space made for us to show up and receive exactly what we need.

Addendum: Being Human with Stephen Johnson 02.02.2020 11:49

Our 1st episode with Stephen Johnson got cut off unexpectedly and these are some concluding thoughts. Thanks!

Being Human with Stephen Johnson 01.02.2020 59:59

Manly’s first guest, Stephen Johnson, describes the value of humanness over manliness. Watch out...there’s a lot of movie and TV references! The following are links from the episode: https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2018/06/imagining-a-better-boyhood/562232/ https://hedgehogreview.com/issues/identitieswhat-are-they-good-for/articles/what-is-it-like-to-be-a-man