Holy Shenanigans

In this episode of the Holy Shenanigans podcast, host Tara Lamott Eastman speaks from the Wild Goose Festival 2024. She introduces Chantal McKinney, a practitioner focused on reawakening and repairing the awareness of divine love within individuals and communities. Chantal discusses the decline of traditional church structures and the importance of shifting towards a decentralized, community-orien...

In this special episode of Holy Shenanigans, recorded at the Wild Goose Festival 2024, host Tara Lamont Eastman delves into connection, community, and the divine dance of the Holy Spirit. Joined by guests Frances Cutshaw, Joy Celeste Crawford, Deborah Roof and Rebecca Daugherty Kaye, the episode features heartfelt stories and an interactive discussion with the audience about the sacred moments, or...

Tara revisits conversations with two friends from the Wild Goose Festival. First Frances Cutshaw talks about her journey with self-love and the Order of St. Hildegard. She shares her struggle and dedication to caring for herself spiritually and physically, inspired by divine calling and sources like Brene Brown and Enneagram studies. She speaks about the founding principles and goals of the Order...

In this episode of Holy Shenanigans,  Tara  reflects on finding the sacred in daily life. Using the biblical story from Mark 4 where Jesus calms a storm, Tara discusses the metaphorical storms of life and how we can navigate them. She shares her experiences and emphasizes the importance of a 'rule of life'—a personal guide crafted through prayer and discernment. Tara recounts her baccala...

In this episode, Pastor Tara Lamont Eastman discusses the theme of 'wild love' and draws parallels between the protective nature of wild geese and the Holy Spirit, often symbolized as a wild goose in Celtic Christianity. Through a relatable story of encountering a protective goose family and the Gospel account of Jesus' unwavering commitment to his mission despite opposition, Tara e...

In 'Holy Shenanigans' hosted by Pastor Tara Lamont Eastman, listeners are encouraged to explore the sacred in daily life and open up to different facets of love. Tara shares personal stories, including a bubble-blowing practice with her children for relaxation and reflection, and a heartwarming story of a father surprising his daughter in a Santa suit. She also draws lessons from a bibli...

An episode exploring the power of little ascensions and the connection between music, love, and encouragement. Send Tara a Text Message 🎙️ Exciting news! Tara is recording a new episode of the Holy Shenanigans Podcast live at the Wild Goose Festival this September 3–6 at Vanhoy Farms in Harmony, North Carolina! Wild Goose is a faith-inspired festival celebrating social justice, creativity, spiritu...

Author Debie Thomas discusses her new book " A Faith of Many Rooms " with Pastor Tara. They delves into topics such as the messy journey of faith, the significance of doubt, and the concept of spiritual "nada" or homeland. Send Tara a Text Message 🎙️ Exciting news! Tara is recording a new episode of the Holy Shenanigans Podcast live at the Wild Goose Festival this September 3–6...

Why go to the Wild Goose Festival? Everyone's answer to this question is different. Some go for the music, others for the camping, some take in theological lectures, poetry slams, social justice forums, late night campfires, silent disco, art exhibits, book store and so much more! One thing follow Goose attenders can agree as their why in attending are the connections that are made - that car...

This week Tara discusses spirituality and nature with special guest Tony Jones. They reminisce about the  the emergent church movement, the intersection of faith and nature, and even the role of dogs in spiritual journeys. Tony shares insights from his new book 'God of the Wild Places' and reflects on finding God in the wilderness. The conversation touches on the limitations of organized...

Writing is spiritual practice. Where do you begin, if you want to try it out? Pen. Pencil. Journal. Laptop. Yes, all of these tools can help with your writing practice, but first you need yourself and a community to support your practice. Rev. Dr. Eileen Campbell-Reed , is an academic entreprenuer and  host of the Writing Table, who, in this week's episode, shares her own journey with writing...

Is Everything Good about God True? Join Rev. Tara Eastman and special guest Rev. Bruce Reyes Chow to discuss his new book to help the reader learn about a progressive, expansive, and generous Christianity Rev. Bruce believes that - " A better story of faith exists, and it has the capacity to heal the world--if we only embrace, articulate, and live it more courageously." What do you belie...

How can this Lent be "Icon-ic"? Join Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman on a Lenten journey with Kristen Wheeler as they explore iconography as a spiritual practice. Questions To Ponder: How could engaging with Icons enrich your Lent? Your spiritual life? What is your "favorite" saint - and why? How do you engage in creativity as a spiritual practice?  Kristen is a modern iconographer, f...

Are you ready for a road trip - with St. Brigid? February 1st marks St. Brigid's Feast Day that marks the turning of the winter season to spring. St. Brigid is the feminine patron Saint of Ireland whose life and work centered on caring for the poor and suffering. Some say that she was born on the literal threshold, setting the  path of her work in the move and in the  in-betweens. For several...

Tara continues her thoughts about spiritual disciplines. This week she talks about pausing aka "filling your cup." Send Tara a Text Message 🎙️ Exciting news! Tara is recording a new episode of the Holy Shenanigans Podcast live at the Wild Goose Festival this September 3–6 at Vanhoy Farms in Harmony, North Carolina! Wild Goose is a faith-inspired festival celebrating social justice, creat...

Welcome to a brand new year of sacred (non-stuffy) Holy Shenanigans! This season is exciting, with opportunities for fresh starts, but can be a time of overwhelming pressure to persue perfection. Well meaning resolutions can go sideways - fueled by sales efforts of the “wellness industry” in service to capitalism. There is another way to engage in new beginnings in ways that feed out hearts, minds...

Week 4 Advent into Christmas features special guest, Carolyn Whitehead , member of First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY, tells why her "aim is love" - in all things A Poem for Advent: Week Four: Love stuck The greatest of these four weeks of waiting is: love. With all the hope waking, peace-making and joy breaking, I need the glue of love to make this stick. Please stick. I don&apos...

Special Guests, Lydia and Eve Kushmal, members of First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY, share what joy means to them in week three of HSP's 2023 Advent Series. Poem for Advent: Week Three JOY: Just, Outrageous, You ! Joy is no wallflower. She, yes she, is bold , sassy and somewhat fearsome. Joy bursts into the room and won't stop grooving', till everyone is on the dance floor....

Welcome to Advent Week 2: Peace with special guest Dr. Chris Dahlie , of First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, NY. Dr. Dahlie, wrestles with the call to live peacefully, advocates for better communication and recognizes the challenge this presents to humankind. How can authentic peace be pursued? To follow along with Holy Shenanigans Podcast - and daily posts of #expectantadvent inspiration - vi...

Welcome to Advent Week 1: Hope with special guest Janita Byars , member of First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, NY. Janita, advocate of hope, shares why this asset is essential for Advent and every season! To follow along with Holy Shenanigans Podcast - and daily posts of #expectantadvent inspiration - visit us at Instagram , TikTok and Facebook . A poem for Advent Week One: Hope... Hope seems...

Part 3 of HSP's #gratitudematters series features and interview with Mary T. MacDonald (founder of A Children's Place) and current director, Molly Hanft , of A Children's Place Daycare. Mary shares the amazing origin story of the longest running daycare, housed in First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, as Molly tells of how the program has continued to grow for over 50 years. A Chi...

Why does gratitude even matter? In this special Thanksgiving edition of Holy Shenanigans Podcast, Tara talks with her long-time blogging (yes blogging) friend Mary Bogan about the power of observing gratitude practices that began over 15 years ago. Our shared online gratitude practices   (Click the green preceding text to read our Blog posts.) were sparked by the book, Sleeping With Bread , by Den...

As we turn the calendar into November we enter a season many connect with Thanksgiving and Gratitude. For years now, I have engaged in a gratitude practice throughout all of November.  How do I engage in gratitude practices? I take photos of things I am grateful for. I share poems that bring me joy and hope. I share scripture that inspires me. This week I share my origin story of gratitude practic...

Even when your "Jaded",  you can't help yourself from loving love.  This week's guest Marla Taviano is a poet and author of the book: 'Jaded: a poetic reckoning with white evangelical christian indoctrination' Marla Taviano (she/her) is into books, love, justice, globes, anti-racism, blue, gray, rainbows, and poems. She reads and writes for a living, wears her heart o...

How do you create a more peaceful, happy world and peaceful happy kids? Through the power of parables and story and the help of children’s books that focus on development of positive social emotional  skills:  self awareness, relationship awareness, social awareness, emotional self management and responsible decision making. In episode 153, Tara talks with children's author Lisa Combs , from...