The Contemplative Life

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Discover the gifts of deep listening and spiritual companioning. This podcast is dedicated to helping people become familiar with the wide variety of contemplative practices that have been developed over hundreds of years and are continuing to develop eve

Christina Roberts, Chris Roberts, and Kristina Kaiser

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    • May 27, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 19m AVG DURATION
    • 224 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Contemplative Life

    E 223 Legacy Letters

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 24:09


    Send us a textLegacy LettersToday we discuss Legacy Letters with spiritual director, Robin Clossman.  We explore how time reviews and photos can be a gateway into sharing legacies with those we love.   These ideas translate to any decade of life.Connect with Robin to learn more at:robin@wcitech.netSupport the show

    E 222: Spiritual Guidance in Everyday Life

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 21:16


    Send us a textToday we talk about ways that spiritual guidance shows up in our everyday lives- at home, work, with neighbors.  We explore both the informal settings for deep listening and how these practices can change our daily interactions.For more information, go to thecontemplativelife.netor email robertscontemplative@gmail.comSupport the show

    E 221: Music As Prayer

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 21:41


    Send us a textToday we explore how music connects us to God and the many ways music is prayer.  Whether you play music or simply listen, we hope you find new ways of experiencing meaningful spiritual moments.Support the show

    Ep 220: Types of Rest

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025 18:59


    Send us a textJoin us as we unpack various types of rest.  Rest is not just taking a nap, but includes a variety of ways to find rejuvenation and restoration in our lives. Support the show

    E 219 Barriers to Rest and Renewal

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 19:19


    Send us a textToday we continue our conversation about rest and look at common barriers we might face.  As we highlight barriers we have faced, we hope you find inspiration to identify and move towards flourishing times of renewal in your life.Support the show

    E 218 Rest and Renewal Paradigms

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 14:45


    Send us a textToday we discuss common paradigms and mindsets around rest and renewal.  We hope this helps us become aware of how we approach rest and expand how we engage.Support the show

    E 217 Awakening our Souls through Listening

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 21:57


    Send us a textToday we are exploring the idea of fixing compared to listening.  To help us on this topic, we are revisiting a previous conversation with spiritual director and supervisor Marcia Bentley.  Support the show

    E 216 Liturgy + Visual Art with Sarah Bianchi

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 21:39


    Send us a textToday we wrap up our series on art and contemplative with guest Sarah Bianchi. Join us as we talk about liturgy that first nourishes our own souls and from that deep space then sharing with others.Follow Sarah at:artbysarahkay.comIG:  Artbyskay FB:  SarahKaySupport the show

    E 215 Contemplative Photography with Ann Kowaliczko

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 23:40


    Send us a textToday we explore photography and how it can be a doorway into contemplative spirituality.  As we have increasing access to photos on our phones, we hope this episode inspires you to engage in new ways.Resources mentioned in this episode: The Practice of Contemplative Photography  by Andy Karr & Michael WoodsJameshazelwood.net/blogMiksang.comConnect with Ann:usheringgrace@gmail.com  https://www.mkespiritualdirectors.com/find-a-spiritual-directorhttps://www.sdicompanions.org/find-a-spiritual-director-companion/Support the show

    E 214 Art As Spiritual Practice with Matt Whitney

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 27:58


    Send us a textToday we are joined by the Creative Director of Spiritual Directors International, Matt Whitney.  We explore the intersection of art, nature, movement and spirituality.   To learn more about Matt's work and his art, connect at  matthewwhitney.com or follow on Instagram  @mattpwhitneySupport the show

    E 213 All About Energy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 20:01


    Send us a textJoin us as we talk about the differences between time and energy and how to make the most of our natural energy rhythms. Support the show

    E 212 Body-Mind-Spirit + PT with Shannon Kunstman

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2025 25:57


    Send us a textJoin us as we explore body-mind-spirit connections with licensed Physical Therapist, Shannon Kunstman.  We discuss the importance of integrative body work with spiritual guidance.  To learn more, connect with Shannon at https://www.awarenessinmotionpt.com/aboutSupport the show

    E 211 Body-Mind-Spirit + Yoga with Katie Anders

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 20:51


    Send us a textJoin us as we explore body-mind-spirit connections with Katie Anders.   Katie is a spiritual guide, a trained yoga instructor and also one who recently has entered the process of becoming a nun with a religious order.   See how she integrates these various parts of her life and spiritual practice. Connect with Katie at:ktanders1933@gmail.comSupport the show

    E 210 Modern Contemplatives: Dave Schmelzer

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 23:28


    Send us a textWe are concluding our series exploring the lives of modern contemplatives who have helped shape our spirituality.  Today we are joined by Dave Schmelzer.  Dave has been a colleague and friend for almost 2 decades and has been instrumental in helping us grow our contemplative awareness.    Check out his work at:https://www.journey-on.net/https://www.blueoceanfaith.org/Support the show

    modern dave schmelzer
    E 209 Modern Contemplatives: Scott Erikson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 16:24


    Send us a textWe are continuing our series exploring the lives of modern contemplatives who have helped shape our spirituality.  Today is the artist Scott Erikson.  Check out his work at:https://scottericksonartshop.com/Instagram: Scott the PainterSupport the show

    E 209 Modern Contemplatives: Waterdeep

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 12:12


    Send us a textWe are continuing our series exploring the lives of modern contemplatives who have helped shape our spirituality.  Today is the band Waterdeep with the music of Don and Lori Chaffer.We encourage you to check out some of their music at https://www.waterdeep.com/or their youtube channel.Support the show

    E 208 Modern Contemplatives: Barbara Brown Taylor

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 18:03


    Send us a textWe are continuing our series exploring the lives of modern contemplatives who have helped shape our spirituality.  Today is Barbara Brown Taylor. We encourage you to check out some of her writings.  Mentioned in today's episode were Altar in the World and Learning To Walk in Dark. Learn more at https://barbarabrowntaylor.com/Support the show

    E 207 Modern Contemplatives: John O'Donahue

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 16:34


    Send us a textToday we kick off a new series for 2025 exploring the lives of modern contemplatives who have helped shape our spirituality.  We start with the Irish poet John O'Donahue.  We encourage you to check out some of his writings, particularly To Bless The Space Between Us.  Learn more at www.johnodonohue.comSupport the show

    E 206 3 Lessons from 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 15:50


    Send us a textWe close out the year sharing 3 lessons we've learned in 2024.   We hope our reflections invite you to engage in your own time of considering what 2024 offered you.Support the show

    E 205 Beyond The Christmas Carol

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 16:05


    Send us a textJoin us today as we talk about the backstory of Charles Dickens and his creation of this classic.  We explore the creative process, shadow sides and more. Support the show

    E 204 Revisiting the Winter Solstice

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 17:56


    Send us a textWinter seasons, whether they be literal or figurative, have much to offer us.  Join us as we revisit the topic of Winter Solstice and how we are engaging this transitional time in the Northern Hemisphere. (For listeners in the Southern Hemisphere, feel free to check out episode 74 when we talk about the Summer Solstice.)Support the show

    E 203 Value of Masterminds

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024 20:18


    Send us a textJoin us as we talk about mastermind groups. We explore some of the key elements and benefits of these groups and hope you feel inspired to check out some of our offerings.Learn more at christina@foundrysc.comSupport the show

    E 202 Wanting For More

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 15:12


    Send us a textToday we explore the concept of wanting for more and how desire is not necessarily selfish or greedy.  We discover ways gratitude and wanting for more co-exist.Support the show

    Ep 201 Limited Eating

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 13:37


    Send us a textJoin us as we delve into the topic of limited eating and its various causes.  We explore situations like food allergies, dietary choices, religious practices, and situational constraints like travel and emotions that often follow. Support the show

    Ep 200 Spirituality of Healthy Eating with Betsy Gonwa

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 22:18


    Send us a textToday, we are joined by spiritual guide Betsy Gonwa to discuss the intersection of food, spirituality, and health. We hope you find inspiration from her story and the ways healthy eating impacts our daily lives.Learn more at listeningspacemke.comSupport the show

    Ep 199 4 Ways We Relate to Food

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2024 19:51


    Send us a textWe are continuing our series about food, looking at 4 common ways we relate to food.  Check out Ep 198, Spirituality of Food, for the first part of the series.Support the show

    Ep 198 Spirituality of Food

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 15:56


    Send us a text Food is something every single one of us interacts with regularly.  Join us as we take what might seem like a mundane part of life and explore some of the spiritual implications.Support the show

    E 197 Contemplative Practices in An Election Year

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 21:32


    Send us a textAs the US is in an election week, we are reminding ourselves of some helpful spiritual practicesSupport the show

    E 196 MythBusters, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 16:42


    Send us a textJoin us for Part 2 where we continue the conversation from last week around common questions and ideas about spiritual direction and contemplative spirituality.  For part 1, please check out Episode 195.Support the show

    E 195 MythBusters, Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2024 18:10


    Send us a textWe have collected a few common questions and ideas about spiritual direction and contemplative spirituality.  Join us as we address some myths and help expand our understanding around the benefits of spiritual guidance.  Support the show

    E 194 Spiritual Direction in Europe

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 19:26


    Send us a textToday we have the honor of interviewing one of the leaders of Spiritual Directors Europe, an organization that networks and trains spiritual guides across that continent. Join us as Rafael Maria Theuvenet shares about spiritual direction in the Netherlands, as well as other parts of Western Europe.Support the show

    E193 God Showing Up At Work: 3 Stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024 15:14


    Send us a textToday we hear from an interior designer (Carol), bus driver (Chris) and non profit worker (Abbie) about ways they are seeing God show up in their work and everyday lives.  We hope you find inspiration in your own life and work.Support the show

    Ep 192 Fifth Season: Late Summer

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 16:06


    Send us a textToday we learn wisdom from Ancient Chinese Medicine about the shortest season and how we might engage with it.  Even though most of us follow a four- season calendar, we hope you find ways to contextualize this fifth season.Support the show

    Ep 191 The Importance of Place

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2024 18:28


    Send us a textThere is something deeply spiritual about places and our orientation to particular places.  Poets, photographers, and families remind us of their importance and meaning.   Join us as we explore our relationship with place through a contemplative lens.Support the show

    Ep 190 Seeking Shalom in our Neighborhoods (With Justin Markofski.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 22:07


    Send us a text  Today non-profit community director,  Justin Markofski, shares insights on what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves.  He dives into the delight of deepening our love of God and how that overflows into the community around us.Support the show

    Ep 189 Speed of Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2024 15:33


    Send us a textToday we talk about the speed of life.  Join us as we explore a topic that comes up over and over again and has relevance for our daily living.Support the Show.

    Ep 188 Resource Netting

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 17:14


    Send us a Text Message.Today we explore the idea of resource netting, a term first heard by the author Greg McKeown and then built upon by Martha Beck & poet, David Wythe.   Join us as we look at our resource rich world and the contemplative invitations for us in it.Support the Show.

    Ep 187 Interruptions or Invitations?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 18:53


    Send us a Text Message.Today we explore various times in our lives when we face interruptions, both small and large.  We discuss ways we've found helpful in reframing them.Support the Show.

    Ep 186 Empaths

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 20:30


    Send us a Text Message.Today we discuss some of the benefits and challenges of those who identify as Empaths.  We also note people who do not identify that way but live, work or regularly relate to those who do and how we can learn and grow together.Support the Show.

    Ep 185 Seasons of Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 14:09


    Send us a Text Message.Join us as we reflect on the cyclical nature of life and the wisdom our seasons offer us.Support the Show.

    Ep 184 Activating & Reactivating

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 15:33


    Send us a Text Message.Today we explore aspects of activating something new and reactivating former parts of our lives.  Discover how these 2 aspects build off each other.Support the Show.

    Ep 183 Perspectives from Training: Interview with Linda Hershberger

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 20:17


    Send us a Text Message.Today we are joined by Linda Hershberger.  Learn how empty nesting, relocation and a cancer diagnosis led her to seeking out training as a spiritual guide for others.Support the Show.

    Ep 182 Mindsets in Starting A Practice with Grace Schmelzer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 27:41


    Send us a Text Message.Today we are joined by spiritual guide, Grace Schmelzer.  Learn how a recent graduate (less than 2 years) has started her practice and mindsets faced along the way.  Additional Resources:graceschmelzer1@gmail.comSupport the Show.

    Ep 181 Wisdom from the Generations with Jo Giarrante

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 24:52


    Send us a Text Message.Today we are joined by spiritual guidance trainer, Jo Giarrante.  Together we explore what Jo has learned in her decades of spiritual guidance ministry and hear wisdom as it relates to her hopes for the future of this work.Support the Show.

    Ep 180 Contemplative Canoe Trips with Becca Langhough

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 17:38


    Send us a Text Message.Today we are joined by spiritual guide and outward bound leader,  Becca Langhough.  Learn how she combined her love for canoeing, spiritual direction and outdoor adventure. Additional Resources:becca55nb@gmail.comSupport the Show.

    Ep 179 Contemplative Figures: Brother Roger of Taize

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024 16:24


    Send us a Text Message.Today we explore a modern contemplative, Brother Roger.  Join us as we talk about the inspirational community in Taize, France and how it has captured the imagination of people around the world.Additional Resources:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngA8BFbjrE0Check out past episodes of exploring contemplative figures:The Contemplative LIfe, episodes 130-136Sign up for our newsletter here: https://foundrysc.com/about/newsletterSupport the Show.

    Ep 178 Contemplative Figures: Desert Fathers and Mothers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 15:05


    Send us a Text Message.Today we talk about the Desert Fathers and Mothers from the 3rd-5th Centuries.  Join us as we explore their values of hospitality, storytelling, and the spiritual landscape of the desert.Additional ResourcesCheck out past episodes of exploring contemplative figures:The Contemplative Life, episodes 130-136Support the Show.

    Ep 177 Contemplative Figures: Clare of Assisi

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024 17:24


    Today we discuss the legacy of Clare of Assisi.    Learn how her choices as a young teen continue to inspire people today in the areas of focus, mission and care for the poor.Additional ResourcesCheck out past episodes of exploring contemplative figures:The Contemplative Life, episodes 130-136Support the Show.

    Ep 176 Contemplative Figures: Ignatius of Loyola

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 15:53


    There is much to learn from the lives of contemplative people in history.  Today, we explore the legacy of Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits.  Learn how his spiritual exercises continue to influence our modern lives and ways we can apply and adapt for the 21 century.Additional Resources:Pray As You Go appJesuits Guide to Almost Anything by James Martin, SJLearning to Pray by James Martin, SJSupport the Show.

    E 175 Loving in an Election Year

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2024 19:04


    Regardless of your country of origin, election years can be stressful. Join us today as we explore practices that can help us love our neighbors as ourselves.Support the Show.

    E 174 4 Lessons from Nature

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 16:02


    Join us today as we explore 4 ways we are currently engaging in nature.   We hope this inspires you to find your own inspiration outdoors.Additional resources:https://www.scottericksonart.com/https://www.instagram.com/scottthepainter/Support the Show.

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