Meaningful Journeys

In this episode, I talk with Marlin about his 2021 book "Astrotourism: Star Gazers, Eclipse Chasers, and the Dark Sky Movement." We delve into the meaning of dark sky and the importance of spending time in places with little to no light pollution. We also discuss Marlin's varied experiences related to celestial events and the awe that results from them. Marlin's book can be purchased here https://www.amazon.com/Astrotourism-Gazers-Eclipse-Chasers-Movement/dp/1637420668. 

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Deana Weibel, who is an anthropologist of religion at Grand Valley State University. We discuss her decades of fieldwork in Rocamadour and book "A Sacred Vertigo: Pilgrimage and Tourism in Rocamadour, France." We also delve into the notions of high places, the veneration of women in France, and her new work on space tourism and pilgrimages. Prof. Weibel's book can be found here and information about her space work can be seen here.

In this episode, I talk with Sacha Kraan and Ruben Heijloo about their experiences along the St. Olav Ways. We discuss the beautiful natural landscapes along the paths and what it means to identify as a pilgrim. We also explore their pilgrimage venture Nordic Pilgrim https://www.nordicpilgrim.com.

In this episode, I talk with Sophie Amoros, who translated her mother's (Nadine Amoros') book Between the Lines from French into English. The book is based on the World War I diary of Charles, the grandfather of Nadine, who was a young soldier from Alsace-Lorraine conscripted into the German Army. Nadine also shares about the family's search for a woman named Isabelle who her grandfather fell in love with during the war. The book can be found on the following sites English : Amazon US : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CMDMMNC Amazon UK : https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08CMDMMNC Kindle US : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089D8ZZF2 Kindle UK : https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B089D8ZZF2 Book store :  ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-1035940577   German : Amazon De  https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09L4Z8F1B   Française : Amazon fr : https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B08C95PGG2 Kindle fr : https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0892FTQCK Bookstore : ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-1035941000

In this episode, Christian and I talk about his journeys to the California Missions and his strong connection to Saint Junípero Serra, the founder of the first Mission. We also discuss his recently published book Pilgrimage: In Search of the REAL California Missions. Christian has written a number of books, which can be found on his website https://missions17. Additionally, he has been featured in a Knights of Columbus video about his walk https://youtu.be/2I3V9yaQiYs and is actively advocating for the canonization of Pablo Tac change.org/InvokePabloTac

In this episode, I talk with Tom Issit about his book Riding in the Zone Rouge: The Tour of the Battlefields 1919 - Cycling's Toughest-Ever Stage Race. We talk about the historical race and Tom's cycling journey along the race routes. Tom also shares about his new project related to the Italian Front of the First World War.

In this episode, I talk with E. Moore Quinn and Alison T. Smith about their new book Women and Pilgrimage published by CABI. We spoke about the inspiration for the book and the significance of women's experiences as pilgrims and pilgrimage scholars. 

In this episode, I talk with Gilles Lagin, who is a battlefield guide in France. We discuss battlefield journeys as a type of pilgrimage and the significance of his role as a guide to connect people to the events, and often personal stories, of the past. Gilles' work has also been profiled in Devil Dogs: Hero Marines of WWI https://www.amazon.com/Devil-Dogs-Hero-Marines-WWI/dp/B07MWS8D76.

In this episode, I talk with Sam Ogden about Hellenistic Astrology, astrologically significant sites as places of pilgrimage, and identity integration. Sam's work can be found here http://www.brothermoonhealing.com

In this episode, I walk with Edie Littlefield Sundby about her pilgrimage experiences along the El Camino Real de las Californias mission trail and her book The Mission Walker. Edie has undergone dozens of rounds of chemo and several surgeries as part of treatment for stage 4 cancer. We discuss life, adventure, and the healing power of walking. 

In this episode, I talk with Jennifer Trainer Thompson, the Executive Director of Hancock Shaker Village in Western Massachusetts. The Village has a special exhibition entitled Climbing the Holy Hill that channels the Shaker pilgrimages of the 19th Century. 

In this episode, I talk with professors John J. Bodinger de Uriarte and Michael A. Di Giovine about their new book Study Abroad and the Quest for an Anti-Tourism Experience. We discuss the history of study abroad programs and how these programs have evolved into more meaningful experiences for students, educators, and local hosts.  

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Miles Neale, who is a Buddhist psychotherapist, author, teacher, and leader of pilgrimages around the Buddhist world. We talk about his experiences as a pilgrim as well as how he approaches pilgrimages as a leader. And, we delve into the integration of psychotherapy and pilgrimage experiences. 

In this episode, I talk with Mindy Miraglia, the founder and CEO of Berkshire Camino. We discuss how her pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago inspired her to start her business during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also talk about the significance of outdoor walking as a way to cope with pandemic and as a sustainable practice.

In this episode, I talk with Anja Bakker about her many pilgrimage journeys. Anja is a harpist and has traveled with her harp across hundreds of miles of pilgrimage routes. We talk about her experiences playing for pilgrims and the episode ends with a sample of Anja's beautiful music.  

In this episode, I talk with Darren Hill, who is a performing artist, storyteller, and pilgrim. We talk about his pilgrimages and how he performed the play Underneath the Lintel 26 times as he walked the Camino. Darren is also the founder of www.thestorypilgrim.com. 

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Dane Munro, who is a resident academic at the Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture (ITTC) at the University of Malta. We talk about his publications, the concept of post-pilgrimage, and being a Knight in the Order of St. John.

In this episode, I talk with Peggy Eppig, a pilgrim and independent researcher. Dr. Eppig has written about pilgrimage from ecological and environmental studies perspectives. We delve into her varied pilgrimage experiences along the Underground Railroad in the US and the Camino in France and Spain. We also discuss pilgrimages to sites of environmental disaster.

In this episode, I talk with Lauren Miller Griffith, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Texas Tech University and Jonathan S. Marion, Associate Professor of Cultural Anthropology at the University of Arkansas. We discuss the concept of apprenticeship pilgrimage and their book on the topic entitled Apprenticeship Pilgrimage: Developing Expertise through Travel and Training. We also talk about their rich professional and personal backgrounds and the pilgrims whose lived experiences inspire their work. 

In this episode, I talk with Raghunath about his pilgrimages to India. We also wander through a discussion about the pandemic, his identity transformation, his passion for teaching others, and what it is like to be a pilgrim while also leading others on sacred pilgrimages. 

In this episode, I talk with Erin Dooley, who is a pilgrim, filmmaker, and producer. Erin documented her experiences along the Camino de Santiago in a film entitled A Way to Forgiveness. In her newest initiative called Walks to Forgive, Erin accompanies people on walks in nature as she documents their stories of forgiveness. We talk about what inspired Erin to first go on a pilgrimage and how she has evolved into a forgiveness companion to others.

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Daniel Olsen, Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at Brigham Young University. Dr. Olsen is the co-editor (along with Dr. Maximiliano Korstanje) of Dark Tourism and Pilgrimage.  Dr. Olsen and I talk about the book as well as his personal connections to pilgrimage. 

In this episode, I offer thoughts on pilgrimage studies during the COVID-19 pandemic from a psychological lens. This brief talk was given at a virtual symposium at the William and Mary on January 21, 2021. The talk was part of a panel discussion on how pilgrimage studies has been impacted during the pandemic and how our work may look moving forward. I was joined in the panel part of the presentation by Daniel Olsen (Geography) and Michael Di Giovine (Anthropology). 

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Michael Di Giovine and Dr. Jaeyeon Choe. They have recently published an edited book entitled Pilgrimage Beyond the Officially Sacred: Understanding the Geographies of Religion and Spirituality in Sacred Travel. In this podcast episode, we discuss their book as well as their perspectives on what is sacred, what is pilgrimage, and new directions in the field of pilgrimage studies and sacred travel. Dr. Di Giovine is Associate Professor of Anthropology at West Chester University in Pennsylvania in the USA and Dr. Choe is a senior academic at Bournemouth University in England. 

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Sachin Jain about pilgrimage in India and, in particular, the Ramdevra Pilgrimage in his ancestral home state of Rajasthan. Dr. Jain reflected on his experiences as a volunteer during this pilgrimage and about why pilgrimage is so important in India. We also talked about the links between mental health and pilgrimage.  

In this episode, I talk with Ali about his journey to Mecca. Ali's mother had been waiting for years to be selected for the Hajj pilgrimage and then she passed away. Her name was chosen and Ali's family decided that he should complete the pilgrimage in her place. An existential dilemma emerged: Ali was raised in a religious Muslim household yet he no longer practiced Islam. Listen to hear how Ali navigated his love and devotion for his mother and his internal conflict about the religion of his youth. 

In this episode, I talk with Lilly Grisafi who walked the Camino Frances through France and Spain in 2019. Her pilgrimage marked a transition into adulthood and a new way of seeing the world. During her journey, she learned how to truly listen to others, how to set boundaries with other people, and met a man whose life story inspired her to view her own father in a new way.  

What is a Coddiewomple? In this episode, you’ll find out as well as hear about a two-week pilgrimage through the English countryside. With no clear directional markers, Dr. Bruce McDonald channeled his inner Chaucer and walked to Canterbury. Along the way, he met intriguing locals, got lost, and drank a lot of beer.

In this episode, I talk with Rana Bokhari about her 2019 Arba'een pilgrimage journey in Iraq. She shares about how the pilgrimage led to significant spiritual growth and opened her eyes to the beauty of all of humanity. She also discusses the universal lessons of peace, justice, and equality that we can learn from this pilgrimage and how the pilgrimage can be a meaningful experience for anyone. 

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Anne Blankenship, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at North Dakota State University, about pilgrimages to Japanese American Incarceration Camps. Dr. Blankenship provides background information about the forced relocation of Japanese Americans during WWII and the pilgrimages that emerged following the War. These pilgrimages occur at various camps throughout the United States. 

In this episode, I talk with Gert-Jan de Hoon about his journey to Santiago. He shares about joining the society of Camino pilgrims and learning to embrace serendipity. He also provides insights about why the Camino is so meaningful and about how his journey led to personal and professional transformation. This pilgrimage journey was the Camino Frances route and covered terrain in France and Spain.