Feeling Beings Who Think

"We connect with people when we reveal ourselves." This takes most of us time to learn and maybe even more time to trust because vulnerability is as scary as it is courageous. My guest today is the Rev. Dina Van Klaveren, an Episcopal priest and leader in the church. She shares her experiences of connection and ways she practices intentional discernment in the callings of her vocation and career....

"Ultimately, the only things I have control over are my intentions and attitude." That is so true, especially when we take risks! My returning guest today is The Rev. Steve Paulikas, I asked him back to talk about ambition, courage, and vulnerability. Steve was recently a candidate for bishop in the Diocese of NY in the Episcopal Church.  And whether or not the church is a part of your life, I bel...

Change = loss = grief. That equation was an epiphany for my guest today, Mabeth Hudson, who believes passionately in the spiritual well-being of people and organizations. She designs and leads innovative programming on two emotional realities rarely discussed at work: grief and joy. We talk about both, and I hope this conversation offers you new ways of thinking about these feelings that impact wh...

"I help people talk about God," is how my guest, The Rev. Glenna Huber describes her calling and vocation to the priesthood. And in this episode, she shares what drew her into this work and the experiences that have shaped her relationship with God, the church, her family, and the people she pastors.  I hope this conversation is of support and encouragement and helps you see the experiences that h...

"I live my life in widening circles" quotes my guest The Rev. José Roberto (Berto) Gándara-Perea as he shares his love of Rilke's poetry, which speaks to his desire for an expansive life and faith. Berto has been ordained for thirty years, first as a Roman Catholic priest, now Episcopalian. We talk about the reasons for that, what catholic (note the small "c") truly means, we go deep with seeking...

"I wonder..." This simple beginning is an invitation to deep conversation and connection. My guest today is Sally Thomas, creator of the Wondering Together Project.   Her experiences as a nurse, chaplain, busy mom, and Sunday school teacher led her to create a practice for families based on this invitation. I hope this rich conversation prompts wonder and possibilities for strengthening connection...

My guest today is Kristofer Lindh-Payne, who wears a few titles (and a clergy collar, like me). He beautifully shares early experiences of being invited into religious traditions in ways that honored his curiosity and piqued his interest. The way we described this feeling is "being held", or, when we know we are seen, heard, and loved so it is safe for us to ask questions and challenge inherited b...

Most of us don't think about funerals until we have to. In this short episode, I share a personal story. It's the story of the funeral I walked through that changed all my thoughts and feelings about what my role at a funeral, as a priest, is for. I hope you find support, resonance, or encouragement in whatever way you, and we all have to at some point, are or have navigated loss in your life. Her...

How do you love people the way they need to be loved? My conversation partner today, Erin Weber Johnson, brings us full circle to that question. This is the second time Erin has joined me on this podcast. The first was "Being Connected." We continue to talk about connection in our relationships and with ourselves. Are we able to recognize our self-imposed sense of responsibility and choose to do s...

How often do you change who you are to meet the needs of others? Do you belong to yourself so much that taking care of yourself empowers you - without guilt- to take care of others? In this episode, I share some reflections on Brené Brown's definition of belonging. Belonging as a feeling, an awareness, a choice that supports the lifelong work of "adulting"! And I connect my understanding of Brown'...

Change is hard. Yes, and - neglecting our feelings about the transitions change brings can make change harder still. Today I’m talking with Mike Coe, a Master leadership coach who works with leaders who want more creativity, creatives who want more leadership, and anyone navigating change in their life. Mike specializes in coaching Veterans, military, and spouses through their inner transition as...

He's back by popular demand! The Rev. Mark Robin Collins joins me to talk about the hard-won wisdom of owning our past, the experiences of great love and great sadness that have shaped who we are and how we work, and how powerful it is when another person validates the feeling of faith in our worthiness. Enjoy! If you enjoy this podcast, please take a moment to like or rate it and perhaps even sha...

You and I spend considerable time each day having an internal conversation that goes like this - one part of me wants to do "this" while another part of me wants to do "that."  Sound familiar? My guest today, is Emily Kokenge, an award-winning brand builder and business leader providing design leadership and business strategy for more than 30 years. Why is she talking to this priest? Because we ar...

My conversation today is with Erin Jean Warde, Episcopal priest, spiritual director, recovery coach, and author of the soon-to-be-released, “Sober Spirituality.” Erin and I talk about what supports us and what gets in the way of being awake to our lives. We talk about binaries, those dualistic, either/or mindsets that keep us stuck! Stuck when we want to look at our spiritual practices, or when we...

What absorbs your attention? Where do you find your ‘flow’? My good friend and esteemed colleague The Rev. Steve Paulikas doesn't use the word “flow" in our conversation, but it occurred to me afterward. As I listened to how he eloquently defines the work we priests do when we preside or as he says, “create a container” for people to be together in a unique way, I realized that full presence is no...

How well do you take care of yourself? What have you learned, and what have you unlearned to do what is popularly called "adulting?" I find it hard sometimes! It's so much easier to pin the responsibility on others, to blame partners, parents, or bosses when our needs are not being met. That's not a surprise, discomfort is never comfortable. My guest today is Erin Weber-Johnson , and we talk about...

Just what is it about our feelings that we do not want to feel? Is it that we are reminded of our imperfections, lack of control, and inability to manage everything - even ourselves - despite our most glorious efforts? And how much of what we think about our feelings have we examined? To see or try to see where our resistance comes from? My guest today is Greg Cochran, and like me, some of his ear...

For women, titles can be complicated - especially in the church. My guest today is Father Cathie Caimano, a colleague, friend, and the first ordained woman I ever saw behind the altar and in a pulpit at church. Back then, I tell her, that rocked my inner Roman Catholic world! In today's conversation, we talk about being women priests, why she goes by Fr. Cathie, online dating, and of course, some...

What is your calling? Do you have more than one? Is your calling what drives your career? How about your vocation? When I was a kid, I thought we got one – one calling, one career - and our job was too perfect it. It didn’t turn out that way – thank God. And I share that sentiment with many friends and colleagues. In my conversation today with Lisa Tilstra, a leadership coach, consultant, facilita...

Theologian and author Howard Thurman once said, "We are attracted to the sound of the genuine." Episcopal priest and my good friend and colleague, the Rev. Mark Robin Collins is about as genuine as it gets. I hope you enjoy his wit and wisdom as much as I do as we share what we think about the energizing and perplexing feelings we have as pastors in a genuinely challenging time for the church - al...

Here's a little bit about my podcast project, who I am and what I'm doing here. Thanks for listening!

Welcome to Feeling Beings Who Think. Thanks for checking out this intro to my podcast!   Music Courtsey of Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay