Loved As You Are - An Ignatian Podcast

Today Gretchen Crowder shares with you the audio of an imaginative walk with Jesus through his death on the cross that was originally shared as a video on the Central and Southern Jesuit Province website as part of a Lenten Series for the 2024 Lenten Season.You can find the video and access the Lenten Series here: https://www.jesuitscentralsouthern.org/spirituality/lent-2024/You can follow the Central and Southern Jesuit Province and learn more about the Society of Jesus by following @JesuitsUCS (X) or @jesuitscentralsouthern (Instagram)Much gratitude to the UCS Province communications team for the beautiful artwork for this series!------If you think you or someone you know has a story that would fit this podcast, please contact Gretchen Crowder at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.comYou can find Gretchen @gdcrowder on social and @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.

Today Gretchen Crowder shares with you the audio of a Colloquy with Jesus in the Garden that was originally shared as a video on the Central and Southern Jesuit Province website as part of a Lenten Series for the 2024 Lenten Season.You can find the video and access the Lenten Series here: https://www.jesuitscentralsouthern.org/spirituality/lent-2024/You can follow the Central and Southern Jesuit Province and learn more about the Society of Jesus by following @JesuitsUCS (X) or @jesuitscentralsouthern (Instagram)Much gratitude to the UCS Province communications team for the beautiful artwork for this series!------If you think you or someone you know has a story that would fit this podcast, please contact Gretchen Crowder at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.comYou can find Gretchen @gdcrowder on social and @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.

Today Gretchen Crowder shares with you the audio of a reflection on the Beatitudes that was originally shared as a video on the Central and Southern Jesuit Province website as part of a Lenten Series for the 2024 Lenten Season.You can find the video and access the Lenten Series here: https://www.jesuitscentralsouthern.org/spirituality/lent-2024/You can follow the Central and Southern Jesuit Province and learn more about the Society of Jesus by following @JesuitsUCS (X) or @jesuitscentralsouthern (Instagram)Much gratitude to the UCS Province communications team for the beautiful artwork for this series!------If you think you or someone you know has a story that would fit this podcast, please contact Gretchen Crowder at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.comYou can find Gretchen @gdcrowder on social and @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.

Today Gretchen Crowder shares with you the audio of a reflection on the next 6 stations of the cross that was originally shared as a video on the Central and Southern Jesuit Province website as part of a Lenten Series for the 2024 Lenten Season.You can find the video and access the Lenten Series here: https://www.jesuitscentralsouthern.org/spirituality/lent-2024/You can follow the Central and Southern Jesuit Province and learn more about the Society of Jesus by following @JesuitsUCS (X) or @jesuitscentralsouthern (Instagram)Much gratitude to the UCS Province communications team for the beautiful artwork for this series!------If you think you or someone you know has a story that would fit this podcast, please contact Gretchen Crowder at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.comYou can find Gretchen @gdcrowder on social and @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.

Today Gretchen Crowder shares with you the audio of a reflection on the first 6 stations of the cross that was originally shared as a video on the Central and Southern Jesuit Province website as part of a Lenten Series for the 2024 Lenten Season.You can find the video and access the Lenten Series here: https://www.jesuitscentralsouthern.org/spirituality/lent-2024/You can follow the Central and Southern Jesuit Province and learn more about the Society of Jesus by following @JesuitsUCS (X) or @jesuitscentralsouthern (Instagram)Much gratitude to the UCS Province communications team for the beautiful artwork for this series!------If you think you or someone you know has a story that would fit this podcast, please contact Gretchen Crowder at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.comYou can find Gretchen @gdcrowder on social and @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.

Today Gretchen Crowder shares with you the audio of a reflection and examen that were first shared as a video on the Central and Southern Jesuit Province website as part of a Lenten Series for the 2024 Lenten Season.This Examen is based on a contemporary version of the First Principle and Foundation of St. Ignatius by David L Fleming, S.J.You can find the video and access the Lenten Series here: https://www.jesuitscentralsouthern.org/spirituality/lent-2024/You can follow the Central and Southern Jesuit Province and learn more about the Society of Jesus by following @JesuitsUCS (X) or @jesuitscentralsouthern (Instagram)Much gratitude to the UCS Province communications team for the beautiful artwork for this series!------If you think you or someone you know has a story that would fit this podcast, please contact Gretchen Crowder at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com You can find Gretchen @gdcrowder on social and @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.

Join Gretchen Crowder as she reflects on the unique combination of Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day this year and invites you to join her on a journey this Lent. You can find all her Lenten Resources here: https://www.jesuitscentralsouthern.org/spirituality/lent-2024/

In this episode, Gretchen interviews Liz Angeli. Liz (she/her/hers) is a college professor, writer, spiritual director, and retreat leader. An Associate Professor of English at Marquette University, Liz has accompanied young adults through personal and professional transitions. At Marquette, she teaches a range of professional and technical writing classes and integrates elements of Ignatian discernment into them all. Her research interests include the overlaps of Ignatian discernment, humanities education, and career readiness.In her spiritual direction practice, she feels especially called to work with LGBTQIA+ seekers and those who are in the discernment process. Liz holds a PhD from Purdue University and a certificate in spiritual guidance from the Siena Retreat Center, and she is currently pursuing her MA in Counseling for Ministry at Loyola University Chicago's Institute of Pastoral Studies. You can learn more about her work at lizangeli.com.----If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at .Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com.

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Liz Angeli.Liz (she/her/hers) is a college professor, writer, spiritual director, and retreat leader. An Associate Professor of English at Marquette University, Liz has accompanied young adults through personal and professional transitions. At Marquette, she teaches a range of professional and technical writing classes and integrates elements of Ignatian discernment into them all. Her research interests include the overlaps of Ignatian discernment, humanities education, and career readiness.In her spiritual direction practice, she feels especially called to work with LGBTQIA+ seekers and those who are in the discernment process. Liz holds a PhD from Purdue University and a certificate in spiritual guidance from the Siena Retreat Center, and she is currently pursuing her MA in Counseling for Ministry at Loyola University Chicago's Institute of Pastoral Studies. You can learn more about her work at lizangeli.com.---If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.comFollow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com.

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Cathleen Falsani.Cathleen Falsani is a veteran, inveterate, and award-winning journalist specializing in the intersection of religion/faith/beliefs/spirituality and culture for more than two decades. Her work has taken her all over the world, always with her cameras and notebooks in tow, searching for enduring, transformational stories of the extraordinary in the ordinary (and the transcendent in the temporal) to share with the world. The author of several nonfiction books, she is an expert in her field and disciplines—contemporary religion and culture, grassroots spiritual trends, and public theology—bringing the eye of a trained observer to explorations of external adventure and internal geography.Cathleen is an accomplished columnist and memoirist in short and long form. She is able both to be calmly dispassionate and wildly vulnerable, depending on what is required to serve best the narrative in her storytelling. She aspires to be brave and honest with her audience, daring and kind with herself.You can find her at:falsani.comSinners & Saints Creative@godgrrl on Instagram---If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at .Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com.

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Becky Eldredge.Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and author of two books: The Inner Chapel (Loyola Press, April 2020) and Busy Lives and Restless Souls (Loyola Press, March 2017). She leads a ministry that offers spiritual direction, resources, and retreats (virtual and in-person) rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Passionate about Ignatian spirituality and teaching people how to pray and discern, Becky draws from over twenty years of ministry experience to help others make room for God in the busyness and invite them deeper in their walk with Christ.Becky currently lives in Baton Rouge, LA, where she writes and meets with men and women of all ages for monthly spiritual direction and leads people through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. She leads days of reflections and retreats for dioceses, parishes, retreats houses and other ministry organizations.A growing part of her ministry is empowering others to use their gifts and voices to share the wisdom of Ignatian spirituality. In 2020, after eleven years of writing her blog solo, she invited a team of Ignatian writers to join her. The blog is now named Into the Deep. In 2023, Becky founded Ignatian Ministries, a home of accompaniment for all individuals. Ignatian Ministries accompanies people with retreats, resources, community, and more to help them grow deeper in faith and walk boldly with others.You can find her at:IgnatianMinistries.orgBeckyEldredge.com@beldredge98 and @ignatianministries on social---If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at .Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com.

During this episode, Gretchen Crowder shares a talk she recently gave to St. Thomas Aquinas Altar Society entitled Preparing Our Hearts for Advent by Leaning into and Internalizing our Belovedness. If you are looking for a great way to prepare for the upcoming Advent season a preparation that might just also be useful for this week's Thanksgiving celebration - check this episode out now! ---If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com.Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com.

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Vinita Wright.Vinita Wright recently retired from a three-decade career as book editor, the last 22 years at Loyola Press, a Jesuit ministry in Chicago. She has worked with authors such as Kevin O'Brien, Mark Thibodeaux, James Martin, and the late William Barry. She is the author of three novels and various works of nonfiction, including Small Simple Ways: An Ignatian Daybook for Healthy Spiritual Living, The Art of Spiritual Writing, and most recently Set the World on Fire: a 4-Week Personal Retreat with the Female Doctors of the Church.Vinita and her husband, Jim, now reside in northwest Arkansas, where she continues to write, facilitate retreats on writing, creativity, and prayer, and serves her newest vocation as a spiritual director. She has written numerous articles for the website ignatianspirituality.com.You can find her books here.---If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com.Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com.

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Liz Aceves.Ignatian Spirituality has been enriching Liz Aceves' spiritual journey since 2015. Liz has regularly contributed to Becky Eldredge's Inner Chapel community, Into the Deep blog series, and is now leading the Ignatian Ministries Spiritual Book Club. One of her greatest sources of joy and community is facilitating the Inner Chapel Prayer group, surrounded by inspirational women. As a member of her parish's Ignatian ministry, Liz supports virtual and in-person retreats for anyone wanting to grow in their relationship with God. Liz is a passionate Catholic school educator with a decade of experience teaching Spanish. Her love for working with children and teaching them about their faith and language has been a constant source of inspiration. She believes learning new languages is essential to fostering acceptance and understanding among people of different cultures. Liz is a devoted wife and mother of two teenage boys who enjoys reading historical nonfiction novels, cooking, traveling, and hiking.---If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com.Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com.

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Jean Heaton.Jean Heaton is a blogger, writer, speaker, teacher, and a workshop and retreat leader.Both her husband and son are in long-term recovery and she has worked her own Twelve Step program for those affected by the addictions of others.She shares her experience, strength, and hope with others at www.jeanheaton.com. Check out her book Helping Families Recover from Addiction: Coping, Growing, and Healing through 12 Step Practices and Ignatian Spirituality---If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com.Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com.

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Tam Lontok.Rooted in Ignatian Spirituality, Tam Lontok is a trained and certified international spiritual director, lifestyle photographer, Sisters of Notre Dame Associate, and is completing her last year as an Anam Cara Apprentice at the Sacred Art of Living with an emphasis on the Art of Spiritual Eldering.Tam was Jesuit-educated in Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University for her undergraduate and graduate studies. She writes regularly and serves on retreats with Christus Ministries, an outreach ministry for young adults and families to develop a prayer life, a discerning heart, and a collaborative way of serving and growing in their faith. Tam resides in Los Angeles, CA, with her husband, Greg, and daughter, Ollie.You can find more about her Spiritual Direction at sd.tamlontok.com and more about her photograph at tamlontok.com.You can also follow her on Instagram @sd.tamlonto or @tlontok------If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com.Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com.

In this episode, Gretchen introduces a new type of episode - short Ignatian Examens focused on our belovedness - and concludes the episode by leading listeners in an Ignatian Examen they can return to time and again. ------If this episode hits home and you would like more Examens like this one, let Gretchen know by leaving a comment or a review on the podcast itself or over at @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com.

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Tucker Redding, S.J.Fr. Tucker Redding, SJ, is a recently ordained priest of the Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus. Tucker grew up on a ranch in central Texas. He attended Texas A&M University, where he grew in his faith through St. Mary's Catholic Center. There, he was also introduced to the Jesuits and started to discern religious life. He worked for four years at a parish in Houston as a youth minister before entering the Jesuits novitiate in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. As a Jesuit, Tucker has lived/studied/worked in Dallas, New York, Boston, Jamaica, and St. Louis. He earned a Master's Degree in Communication at Saint Louis University and a Master's of Divinity at Boston College. He also worked at America Magazine in video production and continues to work on video projects to promote faith, Ignatian Spirituality, and the work of the Jesuits. He currently serves as the Associate Pastor of St. Francis Xavier (College) Church in St. Louis and works in the UCS Province Communication Office.You can find him on social media @treddingsj.------If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com.Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com.---Use my special link (https://zen.ai/pqeVhmlF9iMR7vdwWUUtrk5XeF9KydQGxx1BFi2bG5c) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.Ready to shop better hydration, use my special link (https://zen.ai/pqeVhmlF9iMR7vdwWUUtruTX5fdEGazj0KHbiQmeoY8) to save 20% off anything you order.

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Brendan O'Kane.Brendan O'Kane is the husband of Anita Maina and is a parishioner, acolyte, and parish council member at St. Ignatius Catholic Church. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland, and currently serves as the Director of Ignatian Mission and Identity at Loyola Blakefield. He just finished a three-year program in spiritual direction and holds master's degrees in Theological Studies and Educational Leadership all from Loyola University, Maryland. He is part of the team that created Companions on the Way which is an online journey with the Spiritual Exercises for Ignatian Educators and Leaders. He has been working in Jesuit education since 2007, is an avid long-distance runner, and occasionally writes his thoughts in his blog - itwillallbok.com ------If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com.Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com.---Use my special link (https://zen.ai/pqeVhmlF9iMR7vdwWUUtrk5XeF9KydQGxx1BFi2bG5c) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.Ready to shop better hydration, use my special link (https://zen.ai/pqeVhmlF9iMR7vdwWUUtruTX5fdEGazj0KHbiQmeoY8) to save 20% off anything you order.

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Stephanie Clouatre Davis.Stephanie, an Ignatian trained spiritual director and associate with the Dominican Sisters of Peace, enjoys both youth and adult ministry. In her 26 years of ministry for the Catholic Church, she has directed hundreds of retreats and spoken at many conferences for adults, teens, and young adults. She is a writer for the “Into the Deep” blog, is an Associate Spiritual Director with the Archdiocese of New Orleans Spirituality Center, and has taught in various elementary, high school, college, and continuing education programs. Stephanie has a Masters of Pastoral Studies from Loyola University and lives with her family in Covington, Louisiana.------If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com.Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com.---Use my special link (https://zen.ai/pqeVhmlF9iMR7vdwWUUtrk5XeF9KydQGxx1BFi2bG5c) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan. Ready to shop better hydration, use my special link (https://zen.ai/pqeVhmlF9iMR7vdwWUUtruTX5fdEGazj0KHbiQmeoY8) to save 20% off anything you order.

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Jen Coito. Jen was Jesuit-educated in Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University. She has a Masters in Pastoral Theology with a specialization in Spiritual Direction. After working for the California Province of Jesuits and Christian Life Community, Jen and Fr. Tri Dinh, S.J co-founded Christus Ministries, an outreach that bridges young adults and the Church through service, retreats, and leadership formation experiences. Jen also serves the Sisters of Notre Dame in California as the Associate Director of Mission Advancement. Daily life for Jen involves juggling her work with awesome nuns and the constant stream of activities with her husband Jason and her three children.In addition to blogging for Into the Deep, Jen writes regularly for Christus Ministries and a few other projects here and there. You can find all her writings at jencoito.comI hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!------If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com.Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com.

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Daniel Dion. Daniel has fifteen years' experience teaching and administration in Catholic high schools and universities. He has taught all levels of high school and undergraduate theology and religious studies. He has done research in post-modern philosophy and theological anthropology. He currently teaches theology at a Catholic high school in Nashville, where he also coordinates the community service program. Outside of teaching, he obsesses over Star Wars and Marvel movies with his friends, and has been known to guest on a few podcasts related to those topics every now and then. This time, however, he discusses spirituality and theology with me! I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!------If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com.Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com.

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Stephen Szolosi. Stephen lives with his wife Amy and their dog Grover in Oakland, California following a move from the east coast last August. After twelve years supporting campus ministry at Gonzaga College High School, he began this past Fall as the Director of Spiritual Formation at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley. His own formation began in Ohio as one of eight children in a Catholic home that sat catty-corner to the parish church. He has graduate degrees in theology from St. John's University in Collegeville and in comparative literature from Stony Brook University. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!------While not posting or submitting anything anywhere, he's happy to share an Instagram account he created and maintained briefly: @theological_vocabulary and it is paired with a blog he's inclined to take down, called paschalpassages.com.If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com.Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com.

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Beth Knobbe. Beth Knobbe lives an intentional single life and is passionate about sharing her faith with others. While enjoying a successful career in business, Beth discerned the call to ministry and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Catholic Theological Union. She now serves with Catholic Relief Services, engaging local leaders to take action in support of vulnerable communities around the world. Prior to her role at CRS, she served as a campus minister at the Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University. Beth is the author of two books: Party of One: Living Single with Faith, Purpose, and Passion and Finding My Voice: A Young Woman's Perspective. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!------You can find Beth at bethknobbe.com.If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com.Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Pete Larson. Pete Larson is the Founder and Executive Director of Family Fest Ministries. Since 1997, Family Fest has worked to strengthen families and marriages through a variety of retreats and programs such as the Winter Weekend and Summer Splash family camps and the Marriage Booster Retreat. Pete has spent over forty years working with families and youth in a variety of settings. He lives in Minnesota with his wife, they have two grown sons. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!------You can find Pete at familyfestministries.orgIf this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com.Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Kathy Powell. Kathy Powell, passionate nonprofit and faith-based communications professional, lives in Roswell, Georgia with her husband Kent and three children. Serving as the Creative Director for Becky Eldredge, and currently co-founding Ignatian Ministries, Kathy fills her time sharing the gifts of Ignatian Spirituality, cooking without recipes, and walking with families who have lost a child due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!------You can find Kathy Powell @kathyp987 on Instagram and working alongside Becky Eldredge on BeckyEldredge.com and (in the near future) IgnatianMinistries.com! If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com.Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Christianne Squires. Christianne leads an online community for contemplative women called the Light House, which provides a space for contemplative women to find a supportive community as they continue to deepen into who they are. Formerly, Christianne founded and ran a company called Bookwifery, which merged her vocation as a spiritual director with her twenty years of experience in book publishing and editorial. She served as an SDI New Contemplative in 2013 and holds an MA in spiritual formation and leadership and an MS in entertainment business.As a trained spiritual director and spiritual formation practitioner, one of Christianne's chief delights is helping people discern their invitations and put that discernment into action. She writes, teaches, and leads at the intersection of naming our light, noticing our invitations, practicing discernment, and living the contemplative way.I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! ------You can find Christianne Squires @christiannesquires on Instagram, on Facebook at @christiannesquireswriter, and on the Light House website at www.acontemplativelight.com.

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Rev. Jenny Smith. In a time when it's harder than ever to look reality in the eye, Rev. Jenny Smith offers people the courage to show up authentically to all of life's complexities. A writing pastor, Jenny recently published "Still Here: A Poetry Memoir of Grief & Love" after the unexpected passing of her youngest brother. She writes The Thread, a weekly newsletter on untangling the stories that make us who we are so we can show up to our lives with spacious presence, brave honesty, radical love & wild curiosity. Jenny is a United Methodist pastor, having served churches in Alaska and Washington. She is heading to Oregon this summer to serve a collaboration of churches. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!----------You can find Jenny @jennysmithwrites on social, at jennysmithwrites.com, and searching Jenny Smith on Substack.If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com. Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram. Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Zach Zeckser. Zach is the Chief Administrator at LaSalle Catholic in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he lives with his wife and four children. Zach graduated with an undergraduate degree in theology from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He taught 12 years of high school theology in the Twin Cities while earning a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from St. Mary's University of Minnesota and a Masters in Educational Administration from the University of Notre Dame. Listen to Zach share his thoughts on what being Loved As You Are means as a parent, as a teacher, and as an administrator. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! ------If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com. Follow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram. Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as gretchencrowder.com

In this episode, Gretchen Crowder interviews Colleen Santoni. Colleen is a passionate educator with 25+ years of teaching and administration experience. who is committed to providing quality education to students and to supporting educators by creating a strong and nurturing environment for learning and social emotional growth. Listen to Colleen share not only what being "loved as you are" means to her but also how she tries to impart that idea on her sons and the people she serves through her job with Northshore Learning, an educational consultant company. I think you are going to like this one! ------ If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.comFollow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrower as well as at gretchencrowder.com.

In this episode, Gretchen shares what she's learned about God's love through her biggest cannonball - her diagnosis with Addison's Disease - as well the recent loss of a good friend. Listen as she reflects on how, inspired by Ignatian Spirituality and some wonderful people, she strives to make love the loudest voice she hears. ---- If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.comFollow along and contribute to the conversation @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram. Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrower as well as at gretchencrowder.com.

In this episode, Gretchen introduces one of this podcast's three types of episodes called "As I Love". Listen in as she talks about Ignatian discernment and living our call to love others "as I have loved you." ---- If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own "As I Love" story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com. Follow ⁠⁠@lovedasyouarepod⁠⁠ on Instagram. Find more from Gretchen Crowder ⁠⁠@gdcrowder⁠⁠ as well as at ⁠⁠gretchencrowder.com⁠⁠.

In this episode, Gretchen introduces one of this podcast's three types of episodes called "As I Am". Listen in as she dives deeper into the magnanimous friendship and love God offers us, human imperfections and all. ---- If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own "As I Am" story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com. Follow ⁠@lovedasyouarepod⁠ on Instagram. Find more from Gretchen Crowder ⁠@gdcrowder⁠ as well as at ⁠gretchencrowder.com⁠.

In this episode, Gretchen introduces one of this podcast's three types of episodes called "Love Taps". Listen in as she explains her understanding, informed by the story of St. Ignatius, of where God can be found in those moments that knock us off our feet. ---- If this episode hits home and you feel you have your own "Love Tap" story to share, email Gretchen at lovedasyouarepod@gmail.com. Follow @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram. Find more from Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder as well as at gretchencrowder.com.

As we look to new episodes coming soon in May 2023, take a moment to listen to the why behind starting this podcast and giving it its title. These short 10 minutes might even help you understand the why behind the podcast cover art as well. --- Follow Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder on Instagram/Facebook and at gretchencrowder.com Follow this podcast @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.

Loved As You Are - An Ignatian Podcast drops in late May 2023. Check out what's coming soon in this short introduction from host Gretchen Crowder. --- Follow Gretchen Crowder @gdcrowder on Instagram/Facebook and at gretchencrowder.com Follow this podcast @lovedasyouarepod on Instagram.