Holy Shenanigans

In this week’s podcast, Curious Forgiveness , Jesus calls his followers to love their enemies and we also hear about Joseph of the Technicolor Dream Coat, who uses forgiveness to mend brokenness in his family. In 3 ½ questions about love, Marilyn S. shares her recipe of curiosity and wonder to help us believe in our future. Get ready to take some notes on this week's recipe of love - as well...

In this week’s podcast we hear a Jesus story about healing that flips the tables of life as we know it and blesses people in experiences of woe and need. Special guest,  Rev. Mack Smith answers 3 ½ questions about love and reminds us that "God loves you like crazy!" Stay tuned for a lively conversation about blessing and healing. Come and sit... Listen to the needs of people around us......

Tara muses about being afraid and our need to belong. Along the way she tells a Jesus story about going into deep, unknown waters, talks with an eight-year old about love, and plays a song about finding a sense of home--even in uncharted waters. 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...

In Jesus, Jubilee, & Joy, Tara tells a story about a teacher who helped her to find her voice. Then she brings that voice-amplifying teacher on to answer 3 ½ Questions About Love. Learn more about Dr. Joy Harris-Smith at her website . Keep on the lookout for her new podcast That PTA Meeting launching soon! Send Tara a Text Message 🎙️ Exciting news! Tara is recording a new episode of the Holy S...

When you have good news you want to share it, make it seen, heard, and known to everyone. I think it springs from compassion, whether it be expressed as a thoughtful  act or caring conversation.  This episode features remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a portion of his "I have a Dream" speech. This episode also includes a new segment called 3 1/2 Questions about Love, with spe...

In this week’s podcast we learn how Jesus’ miracle of turning water to wine helps us learn how to do a new thing. How can “imagination help [us] penetrate unseen worlds”? Pass your cup, 'cause there is plenty of good wine (or green tea) to go around… Imagination is the stuff of possibility, innovation and good wine. Send Tara a Text Message 🎙️ Exciting news! Tara is recording a new episode of...

Have you ever had to take a detour? This week we learn about the necessity for plans B or C and all the way to Z. We kick off 2022 by taking a plunge into unfamiliar waters. No matter what detour you're facing today, believe that there is another way. 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...

A New Year is upon us as we live into the season of Christmastide. The Magi are still on the move AND they are looking for love. How can love show up in 2022? Perhaps it shows up in the expansive possibilities of the word “AND” and piece of chalk, a doorway and a poem… Instructions for the Chalk the Door Blessing mentioned in this episode: Leader: Peace be to this house, and to all who enter here....

It's time for the hope, peace, joy and love of Christmas. The candles are are glowing - and the Nativity story beckons us on - into the Work of Christmas, inspired by wisdom from Howard Thurman. Tara shares a gift of a new Christmas song, The Lights of Christmas. The Lights of Christmas (Copyright December 2021, Tara L. Eastman / Lyrics and Music) What is the path we seek? One of hope, for th...

Today’s show for Advent 4 is all about LOVE… Loving God, others & ourselves… Tara muses about how vulnerability (Yes, thank you Brene' Brown ) ,is essential to love, especially in the messiness of real life. Our special guest is Rev. Dr. Danielle J. Buhuro , from Chaplaincy Innovations and co author/editor  of Spiritual Care In An Age of #BlackLivesMatter: Examining the Spiritual and Prop...

Tara is joined by Becca Ehrlich from Lost Resort on TBS , who describes how living with less makes room for more of the things that really matter. Becca Ehrlich is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and services as Associate Dean for Community Life at General Theological Seminary in New York City. Her book, Christian Minimalism: Simple Steps for Abundant Living was re...

Tara invites you to take part in #makesomething week and shares a story of a curious art class that made a way for peace in a nursing home. 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...

We need hope to carry us in the rough waters of life. Tara shares a story about how she learned to swim in the deep end of the pool and how hope overcomes fear. 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 festiv...

Tara tells a story about how a puzzle project gone wrong became a lesson in finding real peace. She also explains how Jesus is a totally different kind of King.  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 festi...

“Are we there yet?” is the persistent question of the traveler. Tara unpacks that question in regards to the spiritual journey. She also shares a devotional resource she is finding personally helpful by Katie Haseltine : All the Things: A 30 Day Guide to Experiencing God's Presence in the Prayer of Examen. Send Tara a Text Message 🎙️ Exciting news! Tara is recording a new episode of the Holy...

In this deeply personal episode, Tara honors some of the people that inspired her along her life journey and shares an original poem, Yellow Leaf. 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...

Tara tells a Jesus story about the kind of truth that leads to freedom... and how Luther's Reformation, Tutu's philosophy of ubuntu and the hymn We are One in the Spirit challenge us to be known by love...above & beyond anything that tries to divide us. Send Tara a Text Message 🎙️ Exciting news! Tara is recording a new episode of the Holy Shenanigans Podcast live at the Wild Goose Fe...

We all need to be seen. Tara talks about tattoos and how judgement keeps us from really seeing others.  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, spirituality,...

Tara ponders a story about humility and shares a new song about based on the works of Welsh poet, clergyman and songwriter George Herbert. Run, Rise & Rest Enrich, God, heart, mouth, hands in we, With faith, with hope, with charity That we may run, rise, rest with thee. What is the calling of this day The act of love, along the way, Just one thing,  we can give today.   Heart, Mouth, Hands Run...

Do small things with great love is a lesson from the Teresas that Tara ponders today. She also talks about simplifying during the #100daydresschallenge. To learn more about the challenge, go to wool& . 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 Ca...

Tara unpacks a Jesus story about intimate relationships. Guest Father Luke Fodor talks about Father Bernard’s Blessed Biscuits , a new social enterprise of Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church and the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County that supports recovery and mental health efforts. If you are in the Syracuse NY area, Tara invites you to bring your pet for a blessing! The Blessing of the An...

Guest Drew Schroun from the organization Sleep In Heavenly Peace shares a story of hope and Tara talks Thomas Merton. 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,...

Tara tells a Jesus story that reminds us to care for one another with tenderness and welcome. She downs an intense cup of coffee and then relates a childhood dream - starring Jesus himself - and how her Sunday School teacher chose tenderness to help her feel seen, heard and welcomed. Send Tara a Text Message 🎙️ Exciting news! Tara is recording a new episode of the Holy Shenanigans Podcast live at...

Happy Birthday Holy Shenanigans! This week we ponder a Jesus story about identity, calling and the power of setting boundaries, hear a birthday story about a stolen cupcake, get some advice from the poet Rilke on how to live into doubts, and hear an original song by Tara called Cross Roads. As we stand on the threshold of the autumn season and all the changes it brings, let's take a minute to...

Content warning: This episode is about suicide prevention. If you or someone you love is considering suicide, help is available from the National Suicide Prevention Line at 800-273-8255 (voice) and 741-741 (text). Tara is joined this week by Michelle Snyder, the primary workshop presenter for Soul Shop , an organization that equips faith communities to minister to those impacted by suicide. Also m...