Poetic Spirituality

Part one of two of our one year anniversary episode! A look back at some of the big ideas that started it all.

Wrapping up our five part series on creativity, we look at these mantras, mottos of creativity: show up keep going listen to your work enjoy. Cameo appearances by: “Flow and Stock;” “poetic spirituality”; “and “God’s Poetry.” I would love to hear your comments, questions, and stories about your own creative journey and process. Feel free to contact me at: myang117@gmail.com

This is our fourth episode in our 5-part series on creativity. In this one we cover the idea of craft––specifically the choices involved in craft, and the importance of properly relating to your curiosity, fear, and failure. Cameo appearances by: “philosopher-plumber”; “pumas.”; “God the Seamstress.” I would love to hear your comments, questions, and stories about your own creative journey and process. Feel free to contact me at: myang117@gmail.com

Welcome to the third part in our series on creativity. In this one we explore how creativity, on one level, is about connecting the dots, and making order out of chaos. We also unpack a few concrete ways to start experiencing, collecting, and connecting the “dots” of our lives. Cameo appearances by: “tohu vavohu”; “Austin Kleon books”; ‘Sport Chek slogans”; and “originality vs. authenticity.” I would love to hear your comments, questions, and stories about your own creative journey and process. Feel free to contact me at: myang117@gmail.com

In part 2 of our creativity series, we talk about the relationship between charis (a greek word meaning “gift” or “grace) and art. We explore how joy, goodness, and blessing are the engines of the creative process.  Cameo appearances by: “It’s all a gift”; “The Fault in Our Stars”; and “the life verse of every foodie.” I would love to hear your comments, questions, and stories about your own creative journey and process. Feel free to contact me at: myang117@gmail.com

In the longest episode title probably anywhere, we kick off a 5-part series on that eclectic and elusive word: “creativity.” In this opening episode we ground our discussion in this ancient funky creation poem that speaks about the ongoing creation of the world and our roles in it. If you consider yourself creative––or a human being––then I hope this discussion is for you. Cameo appearances by: “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”; “earthling”; and “permission slips.” I would love to hear your comments, questions, and stories about your own creative journey and process. Feel free to contact me at: myang117@gmail.com

Hey friends, we are back with a new episode. In light of my 25th birthday, things get a little reflective and I wanted to share this message with you. For those of you who are starting something new or feel like you are stuck, I hope this resonates one way or another. Also, I mention Lauren Leith, the artist who makes the art piece. Please check out her other work at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/littlemoonmarket 

In this one we look at one of the most famous passages in the entire Bible: Psalm 23. It is a lush, lyrical, and loaded poetic meditation on trusting God, finding refreshment for our souls, walking through dark valleys, sitting down at the table with our enemies, and having our jugular vein's exposed to the goodness and love of the Divine.

As part of our continuing TAP (theology and passion) Talk series, we have John Ku on the podcast. In this one we cover the essence of what Christianity is about, having binder clips speak to us, John’s big passion for Truth, and the link between faith and belief. Enjoy!

Happy Resurrection Sunday! Wrapping up our 3-part Easter Weekend series, we look at a funky passage from the scriptures where Jesus, comes back from the dead, and decides to breathe on his disciples.

We speak often of Good Friday, even more of Easter Sunday. But what of Holy Saturday? In this episode, I share two stories that explore the ways in which the Saturday of Faith, gets hold of us.

For the first time ever on Poetic Spirituality…I’m actually going to be reading some poetry! These are three poems I wrote, while reflecting on three of the “Sayings of Jesus on the cross.” I believe they capture not just the meaning of Good Friday, but much of the Christian narrative and life in Christ.

Is the sermon an art form? This question has been driving much of my vocational, artistic, and spiritual journey in the past 3-4 years. There is such a rich tradition around the sermon. It spans thousands of years, countless practitioners across various cultures and languages. In the last little while I've had a chance to begin to study and work on this art form. I'm a newb, a beginner, a novice––but I find it so compelling, and I wanted to share some brief thoughts and my own offering of this ancient art form.

As part of our continuing series in chatting it up with TAP (Theology and Passion) Talkers, we have Alex Ferguson join us on the podcast. In this one, we cover quantum physics, moving from proof of God to the love of God, the humility that comes from growing and expanding and learning in all areas of life. Enjoy!

God is no where? Or God is now here? In this episode, we explore what Jesus meant when he announced the good news that the Kingdom of Heaven/God is “at hand” or “near.” We also cover what repentance has to do with a GPS, why believing your house is on fire matters, and how this whole following Jesus thing takes a whole lot of practice.

This week we have my good friend Tony Yu (a.k.a. Tony the Tiger) on the podcast, sharing about one of his passions: healthy active living. This is the first episode in a series where I interview people who participate in the monthly “Theology and Passion Talk” (TAP Talks). These talks are about coming together to fellowship and create a space where we get to share our passions and interests in a way that reveals that all of life is indeed theological––that God can be found in the practice and presence of all realms of life. 

As the ancient scriptures say: “All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.” In this episode I reflect on Ash Wednesday and the life-giving, liberating, and grace-filled reality of what it means to be dust.

It’s all a divine lark anyways, with God coming in like a wrecking ball (sorry Miley) and swinging it low to bring about our happy ending. As we enter the Advent season––the waiting and longing for God’s arrival––we can place our hopes in the very blood and breath of Christ who has put redemption in motion.listen to the full "Chariot" by Page France: and here’s this: raw gritty new year’s eve basement performance that brings me redonkulous joy.check out the book And We Will Become a Happy Ending by theStory.*All credit given to the artist. No copyright infringement intended. For creative purposes only.*

This episode is about Jesus and his third way of subversive, radical, and creative non-violent resistance; how in the midst of tragedy and chaos and suffering we can somehow find hope; and of course––God being left handed.

Things get a little personal in this one. With a little help from Jesus and David Foster Wallace, I trace the central thread of my spiritual journey that has led me to where I am now. 

The phone in our pocket, that show we binged on Netflix, the athlete you watched last night––are examples of people living into their calling. Learning from some first century rabbis, we explore what it means to pursue our vocation and calling. We also look at what it means to live in the “sweet spot,” to be okay with failure, and to find our tribe. Link to the set of questions:https://www.dropbox.com/s/85u7sf6l1c6gnv5/Discovering%20your%20calling.docx?dl=0 

Easter comes early, as we explore the wonderful story of Mary Magdalene (a.k.a. Mary Who-used-to-have-seven-demons, the patron saint of showing up, Mary Mags) meeting the mysterious gardener on Resurrection morning. It’s a story about witnessing to Hope and Love, being made new and not spiffy, why women can be teachers and preachers, and why googling images of Jesus can be misleading. 

“She has done a beautiful thing to me…Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” – Jesus, Mark chapter 14. I cannot think of another passage where Jesus explicitly said––retell this story, record this, honour this moment by telling it again and again. Link this woman (Mary of Bethany), link her with my story forever and ever. This story is another example of the women in the Scriptures doing profound and powerful things, it’s also a story about being aware of what God is actually up to in the world and orienting our resources around that, which sometimes involves the welcoming and preparation for death.

This is a story about a girl. It's also a story about risk, resistance, and rescue. It's a story about how God hears the cry of the derelict and partners with us in this world to bear and deliver redemption. It's also a celebration of the human body, of flesh and blood and life and the coming together of matter and spirit as we make room in the womb of our lives––for the Divine.Special shoutout to Rupi Kaur  and her powerful piece "period." which inspired this episode. Content warning:  Explicit language. Subversive, radical, and provocative hope.

Jesus. Feminism. Two words that you don’t often talk about together. This week we unpack what Feminism is and is not (with some help from Aziz Ansari, Emma Watson, Beyonce, Malala Yousafzai and Sarah Bessey), seeing male privilege, tracing a bit of Feminism’s historical roots, understanding how God partnered with women in bringing about the Gospel reality, and finally answering the all-important question of “who paid Jesus’ bills?” Here is my story of how following Jesus made a feminist out of me. Content Warning: Conversations about human trafficking, rape, and misogyny. Conversations about dignity, compassion, hope, and bringing restoration––may leave you inspired and encouraged. Includes the use of offensive language.

The great Jürgen Moltmann says: “At the centre of Christianity is the euvangelion, the Gospel, and this is good news." This week, I unpack this good news in the Gospel according to John. No tracts, evangi-cubes, gospel bracelets, giant-cross-as-bridge diagrams, Lifehouse songs, or acronyms were harmed in the making of this episode.

In this tenth episode of Poetic Spirituality, I gush over my favourite movie of this past summer: Pixar’s Inside Out, and reflect on how life is a mixture of emotions, that where you freeze the frame matters, and how transitions and growing up are not easy––but necessary. 

In a farewell ode to summer and a look ahead to this next season, this week we explore measuring time with heartbeats and breaths, the 2005 movie adaption of Rent, moving at the speed of love, South Tibetan Chinese ladies, and of course Katy Perry's "Firework" (the most personal, sensitive, and best of her songs). Here is the link for the Rent Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMIWNmyMEvI Here is the link for the Fireworks video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsoNK4I9qi8

This week we jump into a late-night convo between Jesus and a man named Nico, and we unpack ideas about belonging, believing, what your breath has to do with the wind, and what Christians talk about when they use that very strange phrase “born again.” Special shoutouts to Kristi, Matt, Suejin, Dan, and Allan for their feedback and comments regarding this week’s episode. 

This week, I interview Kristi Hovater (a.k.a. Kutie with a K, My Twu Ruv, Honey Bunny) on her upbringing as a multicultural person in multicultural environments, her journey into Psychology and Counselling, stigmas around Counselling, and what connectivity and consciousness has to do with being human. Enjoy!

Very excited to share this fun and fascinating conversation with my good friend Kenneth Chang. In this episode you will learn a bit about his story, and we cover the philosophy of religion, the “Something” that we are all looking for, finding God outside the Church, the difference between skepticism and doubt, and why you should always pay attention to old hippie Jesus vans.

This episode we look at the power and pain of promises, what faith is, why name changes are a pain in the butt, and why you should always pay attention to sprinklers.

Welcome to another episode of Poetic Spirituality, this week we have a very special guest––my brother from another mother, my brother-in-law Stephen Hovater! We talk about travel, the outdoors, culture, and you get to hear a bit about his story. Enjoy.

In this episode about “The Two Paths” we will cover Divine Blueprints, sturdy trees, Grace and Frankie, how not all sins are created equal, and the freedom that comes from taking "ink to blood."

In this episode I explore the ways in which we may need to deal with the junk in the “fridges” of our lives; how sin is more than sexy lingerie and decadent chocolate; and why shalom is refreshing. 

In this first episode of Poetic Spirituality we uncover and unpack this wonderful idea from the Bible––the invitation to: “taste and see that God is good.” (Psalm 34:8)