Podcast appearances and mentions of Claire Hoffman

In today's podcast, we explore Claire Hoffman's latest book, Sister, Sinner: The Miraculous Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson. As a chronicle of America's most famous woman evangelist, this is an unforgettable story of an iconic person – who was largely overlooked during her lifetime – who ultimately changed the world… Claire is a journalist and author who reports for national magazines, where she covers culture, religion, celebrities, business, and more. She was formerly a staff reporter for the Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone. She also serves on the board of the Goldhirsh Foundation, Columbia Journalism School, and ProPublica. Her first book, a memoir, Greetings from Utopia Park: Surviving a Transcendent Childhood, was published in 2016 by Harper Collins. Click play to discover: Claire's unique background and how it influences her writing.  The challenges associated with Aimee Semple McPherson's fame. The origins of Pentecostalism and how McPherson helped shape it.  How Claire did the research for Sister, Sinner. You can keep up with Claire and her ongoing work by visiting her website! Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

Journalist Claire Hoffman unpacks Sister, Sinner, the gripping true crime story of evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson's disappearance and miraculous return.If you've never heard the name, Aimee Semple McPherson, you're not alone—but Claire Hoffman's Sister Sinner will ensure you never forget her name again as America's first mega-preacher.Today, we discuss this riveting biography, which opens with the astonishing true story of Aimee, who shaped modern evangelicalism, vanished into the ocean for 35 days, and returned with a kidnapping tale so wild it led to two sensational trials.The author was the first researcher granted access to the complete court records of Aimee's grand jury trial—records that, for more than a century, the Foursquare Church has refused to share with the outside world.Uncover her journalistic approach, which is both deeply researched and refreshingly secular. Embracing Aimee's contradictions—faith healer and showman, sinner and saint, feminist and fundamentalist creates a page-turning experience. Whether religious or not, you'll love this conversation on how charisma, celebrity, and faith collide.In this intimate and insightful conversation, Claire and I discuss:Her background and five-year research process to bring Aimee's story to lifeWhy Aimee's disappearance is the opening chapter, and what type of reader did she hope the true crime angle might pull inHow Claire's background as a journalist for Rolling Stone has given her a unique lens into the world of what it means to be a celebrityThe effort and reverence required when accessing court documents like this for a project

In this episode, Claire Hoffman explores the idea behind how our flaws, doubt, cynicism, and even ambition aren’t signs of failure, but can be used as fuel. She tells the story of Aimee Semple McPherson, a woman who built a religious empire and faked her own kidnapping. But this episode isn’t about scandal. It’s about the tension that we all carry between our light and dark sides. Claire says sometimes the bad wolf does good work. This conversation is about embracing contradiction and finding grace in the mess. Key Takeaways: Claire’s book: “Sister Sinner: The Miraculous Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson. Aimee Semple McPherson’s duality of character, embodying both “good” and “bad” traits. The impact of McPherson on American religion and her role in establishing one of the first megachurches. The complexities of fame and its effects on personal identity and mental health. The concept of “audience capture” and its implications for public figures. Societal pressures and judgments faced by women, particularly in the context of McPherson’s life. The significance of grace, forgiveness, and personal transformation in the human experience. Reflections on authenticity, compassion, and the challenges of extending grace in a judgmental world. If you enjoyed this conversation with Claire Hoffman, check out these other episodes: How to Embrace Your Authentic Self with Carmen Rita Wong Faith, Identity, and Finding Your Voice with Dante Stewart For full show notes, click here! Connect with the show: Follow us on YouTube: @TheOneYouFeedPod Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Follow us on Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Claire Hoffman discusses her new book "Sister Sinner" about the remarkable life of 1920s evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson. Hoffman shares key insights into McPherson's meteoric rise to fame, her pioneering use of media, her mysterious disappearance, and the fascinating relationship with her mother Minnie. Discover the gripping story of one of the most influential and controversial religious figures of the early 20th century. Links: "Sister Sinner" Book: https://amzn.to/4jdrhvA Claire Hoffman Website: https://www.clairehoffman.com/ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lHzAotw2naQ _ Produced by Podcast Studio X. Find my book reviews on ViewsOnBooks.com.

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with BizBash's editorial team—interim editorial director Shannon Thaler, managing editor Sarah Kloepple, and senior contributing editor Claire Hoffman—to discuss how events fared in 2022. The trio answer questions about what gave them “goosebump moments” this year, their favorite BizBash stories they worked on in 2022, and what they predict is in store for the industry in 2023. 

Claire Hoffman was nominated as a Beck's Player with Heart for her efforts on and off the field. Her favorite thing about high school sports is playing as a team. When things are going well the team can celebrate and when things are rough the team is there for each other. Agriculture to Claire means sacrifice. Living on a farm means sacrificing a lot of time and energy. Claire is involved in softball, basketball, football stats, national honor society, Spanish club, band, FFA, 4-H, and youth group. When she graduates, she plans to attend South Dakota State University and study ag business.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the Viral Volley Podcast, No. 12 Washington Head Coach Keegan Cook and Huskie standouts Claire Hoffman and Sam Drechsel jump on the show to discuss last weekend's NorCal victories vs. Stanford and Cal. The crew then looks to this weekend's matchups vs. Oregon St. and Oregon and what it could mean for the Pac-12 race and an NCAA Tournament berth.

In this episode of Big Reputations, we talk about famed English singer and songwriter, Amy Winehouse. We discuss the things the media said about her and share a little bit about the Amy that existed beyond the tabloids. We wrap up by chatting about her legacy, ten years after her death.   Follow the podcast: Twitter: @BigRepPod Instagram: @BigReputationsPod ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hosts: Kimberly Fludd and Rebecca Salois Logo Design: Samantha Wallace Music: Shawn P. Russell Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell Recording and Editing: Rebecca Salois ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Select Sources: Oscar award winning Amy, a 2015 British documentary film directed by Asif Kapadia Reclaiming Amy, a documentary done by her mother Janis Winehouse "Up All Night With Amy Winehouse" by Claire Hoffman, for Rolling Stone  "Chasing Amy: Amy Winehouse's Life—and Death—in the Media Glare" by Christine Estima for BitchMedia "Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain and the Gendering of Martyrdom" by Molly Beauchemin for Pitchfork

Hosts: David Adler, Claire Hoffman Guest: Jim Louderback In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler and BizBash executive editor Claire Hoffman chat with Jim Louderback, the general manager of VidCon, a massive trade show for digital creators. The group discusses how the show shifted to virtual this year, including what worked and what didn't, his favorite tech platforms, why he stretched it into a summerlong event series, and future plans. He also discusses how to engage the next generation of event attendees, the power of influencer marketing, why he takes an editorial approach to programming content, his predictions for hybrid events and much more.

James Introcaso sits down with the D&D Adventurers League Admins, Robert Adducci, Alan Patrick, Bill Benham, Travis Woodall, Greg Marks, and Claire Hoffman, to discuss Season 7 of organized play, which centers around Tomb of Annihilation. The post 026 – Season 7 of the D&D Adventurers League appeared first on Geekspective.

Hosts: Claire Hoffman, Ashton Pike Guests: Tom Kehoe, Megan Williams, Lanie Hartman, Jack Scafide In this virtual discussion that marks the fifth part to a new BizBash digital series, dubbed "Conversations from the Inside"—which gives industry leaders in local markets a voice amid the COVID-19 outbreak—BizBash editors Claire Hoffman and Ashton Pike take to the Chicago market, chatting with local event professionals Tom Kehoe of Kehoe Designs, The Geraghty, BlackOak Technical Productions, and Floral Exhibits; Megan Williams of Field Museum; Lanie Hartman of BBJ Linen; and Jack Scafide of CORT Events. The panel discusses how they're using their resources to provide PPE and help healthcare workers, the importance of breaking down barriers with competitors, virtual events, what they're doing to stay optimistic and inspired, and more.

Hosts: David Adler, Claire Hoffman Guests: Dominic Venn-Lever, Rolando Espinoza, Wayne Fernandez, Vinnie Balistreri In this new BizBash digital series dubbed "Conversations from the Inside"—which gives industry leaders in local markets a voice amid the COVID-19 outbreak—BizBash founder and chairman David Adler and West Coast editor Claire Hoffman take to the west coast, chatting with local event professionals Dominic Venn-Lever of Blueprint Studios, Rolando Espinoza of Champagne Experiential Studios, Wayne Fernandez of Magic Box, and Vinnie Balistreri of Glisser. The panel discusses the impact of the coronavirus on Los Angeles and the west coast, how they're dealing with contracts and force majeure clauses, ways to create effective virtual events, how they're staying connected with their teams, and much more.

Hosts: David Adler, Claire Hoffman Guests: Jaclyn Bernstein, Liron David, Jessica Rothstein Berman Simon Miller In this new BizBash digital series dubbed "Conversations from the Inside"—which will give industry leaders in local markets a voice amid the COVID-19 outbreak—BizBash founder and chairman David Adler and editor Claire Hoffman begin with the New York market, chatting with event professionals Jaclyn Bernstein of Access New York Metro, Liron David of Eventique, Jessica Rothstein Berman of Manhattan Center, and Simon Miller of Brand Activation Services. The panel discusses the impact of the coronavirus in the New York market, the almighty force majeure clause, the importance of putting trust in your team while working remotely, staying in contact with clients, how they've found the good in the bad, what the future holds, and much more. 

Cliff Hanger! Claire Hoffman is an expert hiker and popular influencer. She inspires her audience by broadcasting her adventures on social media. Claire has decided to challenge herself by blazing a new path to explore some treacherous caves. Only this time, Claire is out of cell phone range and completely on her own. Claire enjoys the time alone, pushing herself further than ever before and finding stunning beauty all around her.  But then an unpredicted torrential rainstorm starts, and Claire finds herself in a hopeless situation with a last chance to share her personal truth. Performed by: Caitlin Thornburn (Good Omens), Hannah Forcier (Prom Night: An LGBT Short Film), Chelsea Javier (Stranger Danger) and Robert Van Guelpen (For Jennifer). Narrated by Anna Brisbin (Brizzy Voices).   Trail Less Taken is written and directed by Scott Zakarin.

Hosts: David Adler, Claire Hoffman Guest: Stephanie Edens In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler and west coast editor Claire Hoffman chat about all-things awards season, from the rise in plant-based catering to the hottest design trends and most anticipated Oscars parties. They also hear from Stephanie Edens, the senior vice president of national sales for Wolfgang Puck Catering, who teases the menu for this year's Oscars Governors Ball—an event that the company has been catering for 26 consecutive years—sharing why the menu will be more playful this year. Edens also discusses the hottest trends she's seeing in the event catering world, how the company deals with dietary restrictions, tips for catering a large-scale event without sacrificing quality, and much more. Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 35:58.

Episode 164: The funky hundred and sixty-fourth episode of the PokeProblemsPodcast! This week's news: Pokémon GO: Did you get pinched on Trapinch Community Day? The next one is Chimchar, on November 16, from 11 am to 2 pm. The PoGO Halloween event is in full swing. Get that candy! And, they've teased new developments... Battle League and new discoveries from Professor Willow of weird Team Rocket technology. Get a shiny Solgaleo or Lunala at Gamestop until November 10th.Pokémon Sword & Shield shows off new Gigantamax forms, including a Meowth you can get as an early purchase bonus (before January 15th 2020). Get Gigantamax Pikachu and Eevee with save data from their respective Let's Go games. Have you bought any Pokémon Makeup from the new Shu Uemera Pikashu collection? McDonald's has new Pokémon Happy Meal Toys Miz Sylver's mom is going to have to go on a hunt. (Miz Sylver also bought Pokemon toys at Uwajimaya...) Mario Kart Tour is having a Halloween event featuring Luigi. The current Tetris 99 Maximus Cup, happening October 25th - 28th, is Luigi's Mansion themed. Overwatch's Halloween Terror is on through November 4th. Smite The Reaping is on until October 31! In Madison, WI next weekend? Go to Gamehole October 31st - November 3rd and say hi to Skerrit the Green & Claire Hoffman! Free Trick or Treating on October 31st! Miz Sylver tells us about the National Video Game Museum! (And check out Kelsey's tour video!) Thanks for listening! If you have any questions or comments, we want to hear from you. Tweet, email, or comment on the blog or Facebook to let us know! Follow @pokemoncastTweet!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');

Hosts: David Adler, Claire Hoffman Guests: Cara Kleinhaut, Andrea Michaels, Justin Lefkovitch, Judy Levy, Sarah Shewey In this special live episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and West Coast bureau chief Claire Hoffman moderate a panel on the art of creating events that people never forget. The multi-generational panel of top event pros includes Andrea Michaels, president of Extraordinary Events; Cara Kleinhaut, C.E.O. of AGENC; Judy Levy, founder of Levy, Pazanti & Associates; Justin Lefkovitch, C.E.O. of Mirrored Media; and Sarah Shewey, C.E.O. of Happily. The group—which spoke at a BizBash and Los Angeles Dodgers-hosted event in April—shares how the stakes have been raised in creating memorable, authentic events; how to deal with operational disasters; why it's crucial to know your attendee; why guests want to see behind the scenes; and more. Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 1:00:30

At the age of 38, Claire Hoffman became a widow when her husband experienced a drug overdose. A mother of one, Claire describes this event as having a butterfly effect over her entire world. In an effort to cope with the loss and gain wisdom and insight, Claire has gathered together grief experts from around the world for the Liberate Your Grief Spotcast, a 5 day event offering hope and healing to anyone who has experienced a major loss. Learn more about Claire at http://liberateyourgrief.com.

On Exposure, your host Stephanie interviewed the author of “God's Not Dead” and later on, the hosts of The Sci-Files, Chelsie and Daniel, discuss African carnivores and how the community are at odds with them.On Apr. 17, Dr. Rice Broocks and Dr. Michael Guillen will be at Michigan State for an open discussion about the evidence that God exists. Stephanie had the opportunity to talk to Dr. Broocks about his book “God's Not Dead” and how he shares his faith with college students. For more information, check out their event at the Kellogg Center on Apr. 17 at 7-9 p.m. to discuss the Christian faith in this inclusive presentation.On The Sci-Files, researcher Claire Hoffman joined Chelsie and Daniel to talk about the conflict between African carnivores and livestock and their owners. Claire's research includes a variety of new technology and traditional research methods as she studies the patterns of where, when and how carnivores attack livestock. 

When Claire Hoffman was in kindergarten, her family moved from New York City to a Transcendental Meditation community in the Iowa cornfields. There her mother said she would literally “learn to fly.” Hoffman’s fascinating and heartbreaking memoir, Greetings from Utopia Park: Surviving a Transcendent Childhood, recounts her life coming of age in a spiritual community in the shadow of famed guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Her story has a particular resonance with me because I also grew up in a spiritual group under the watchful eye of a charismatic teacher. On the podcast, we compare notes on our unusual upbringings – the selflessness and the selfishness, the promise and the danger, and the complex feelings many children of spiritual communities have to work through as they mature.   Find Me Online -website:writaboutnowmedia.com -twitter: twitter.com/kidfinesse -facebook: facebook.com/WriteAboutNowPodcast -instagram: instagram.com/writeaboutnowpod  

In Episode 2 of Behold Her, host and producer Lysa Penrose chats with three generations of administrators and organizers of the Adventurers League, the official play campaign for Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition. Guests include Claire Hoffman, the Associate Content Manager of the Adventurers League, Deb Berlin, the Vice President and Convention Coordinator for the Role Initiative, and Fenway Jones the Teen DM, the organizer of Jasper's Game Day to support suicide prevention. The episode ends with an audio story, written and read by Mysty Vander, about how a clash with kobolds gave her a spark of hope.

In Episode 2 of Behold Her, host and producer Lysa Penrose chats with three generations of administrators and organizers of the Adventurers League, the official play campaign for Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition. Guests include Claire Hoffman, the Associate Content Manager of the Adventurers League, Deb Berlin, the Vice President and Convention Coordinator for the Role Initiative, and Fenway Jones the Teen DM, the organizer of Jasper's Game Day to support suicide prevention. The episode ends with an audio story, written and read by Mysty Vander, about how a clash with kobolds gave her a spark of hope.

Welcome to the Face of the League series! Today we are privileged to have Claire Hoffman on the show! Learn more about Claire and her role in the D&D Adventurers League… this week […]

James Introcaso sits down with the D&D Adventurers League Admins, Robert Adducci, Alan Patrick, Bill Benham, Travis Woodall, Greg Marks, and Claire Hoffman, to discuss Season 7 of organized play, which centers around Tomb of Annihilation.

Abandoned by her alcoholic dad when she was five, out of cash and evicted from their NYC apartment, Claire Hoffman, her mom and seven-year-old brother found themselves dropped into a small town in Iowa.But, not just any old town, this was a sacred enclave, Heaven on Earth, established by Transcendental Meditation founder, Maharishi Mahesh. For Claire’s mother, Transcendental Meditation and the cloistered culture around it became a source of salvation and calm. But, over time, Claire began questioning the teachings and traditions. She eventually fled the town, the practice and community and moved back in with her father.Decades later, a now established journalist and teacher and parent, and looking for answers, Claire found herself drawn back to Iowa, to reexamine her spiritual upbringing in an attempt to resolve unanswered questions rediscover a bit of lost magic.In today’s episode, we sit down with Claire and dive into this powerful, raw and revelatory journey, detailed in her memoir, Greetings from Utopia Park: Surviving a Transcendent Childhood. photo credit: Timothy Greenfield-SandersBe sure to subscribe to our weekly Good Life Updates and listen on iTunes to make sure you never miss an episode!

  Please Support The Show With a Donation   This week we talk to Claire Hoffman Claire Hoffman works as a magazine writer living in Los Angeles, writing for national magazines, covering culture, religion, celebrity, business and whatever else seems interesting. She was formerly a staff reporter for the Los Angeles Times and a freelance reporter for the New York Times. She has a masters degree in religion from the University of Chicago, and a masters degree in journalism from Columbia University. She serves on the board of her family foundation, the Goldhirsh Foundation, as well as the Columbia Journalism School. Claire is a native Iowan and has been meditating since she was three years old. Her new book is called: Greetings from Utopia Park: Surviving a Transcendent Childhood. In This Interview, Claire Hoffman and I Discuss... The One You Feed parable Her new book: Greeting from Utopia Park: Surviving a Transcendent Childhood. Growing up in a transcendental meditation community How that community changed over time The meditation only trailer park Rationality versus belief How things can be so much more beautiful and strange than logic allows Moving away from the meditation community in her late teens Being tired of the negative cynical voice in her head Revisiting the meditation community many years later Can meditation cause people to levitate? Quieting the cynical doubting mind Is evolution antithetical to happiness? Yogic flying: what it is and what it looks like How she felt about seeing her mom attempt to fly The desire to escape being human, to be divine That part if being who she is is feeling uncomfortable Accepting what it's like to be a person Her evolution as a meditator That she doesn't aspire to being enlightened Claire Hoffman Links Homepage Twitter Facebook Please Support The Show with a Donation  

Topics: Harry Potter, Marked, Super Powers, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Beatles, David Lynch, Iowa, Gurus, Townies, Prophet, Zeitgeist, India, 70s, Levitation, World Peace, Fairfield, OZ, Narrative of Self, Emptiness, Cult, The Truth, Belief, Doubt, Seeking, Pop ...

42 Minutes 247: Claire Hoffman - Greetings From Utopia Park - 10.17.2016 While there is no utopia yet on earth, the program considers this idea with one who survived A Transcendent Childhood. Claire Hoffman, author of the recent Greetings From Utopia Park, explains that there is a larger fabric of the universe to which we all belong even if our human religious structures collapse under the weight of their own design. Topics Include: Harry Potter, Marked, Super Powers, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Beatles, David Lynch, Iowa, Gurus, Townies, Prophet, Zeitgeist, India, 70s, Levitation, World Peace, Fairfield, OZ, Narrative of Self, Emptiness, Cult, The Truth, Belief, Doubt, Seeking, Pop Stars, Siddhis, Mantra, Politics, Shadow, Eckhart Tolle. http://www.clairehoffman.com

Claire Hoffman is a an author and Journalist with work published in Rolling Stone, The New York Times and GQ. Her book, Greetings From Utopia Park is an autobiographical account of growing up in in the heart of the Transcendental Meditation movement in Fairfield Iowa. For links and a full write-up: THIRDEYEDROPS.com www.clairehoffman.com

Author and journalist Claire Hoffman has been practicing Transcendental Meditation since she was 3 years old. When she was 5, she and her family moved to a secluded meditation community in Fairfield, Iowa -- Maharishi's national headquarters for Heaven and Earth. In her new memoir, "Greetings from Utopia Park: Surviving a Transcendent Childhood," Hoffman describes what it was like to grow up in a place where people aspired to follow all of Maharishi's principles, what happened after she began to question them, and how she feels about her spiritual upbringing now as an adult.

Claire Hoffman joins Seth, Laurie, and Tom to discuss her new book Greetings From Utopia Park: Surviving a Transcendent Childhood; and Sandra Tsing Loh returns to recommend a book by Buddhist monk Pema Chodron

Claire Hoffman Discussion by Discussion by Dennis and Phil

Claire Hoffman writes for national magazines and holds a master’s degree in religion from the University of Chicago and a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University. She was a staff reporter for the Los Angeles Times and Rolling Stone. The author of Greetings from Utopia Park Surviving a Transcendent Childhood, she serves on the board of her family foundation, the Goldhirsh Foundation, as well as ProPublica and the Columbia School of Journalism. We spoke about her memoir about growing up in the Transcendental Meditation community in Fairfield, Iowa. Learn more about Claire Hoffman here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claire_Hoffman

Claire Hoffman joins Sister Jenna on the America Meditating Radio Show to reflect on her childhood in the heartland, growing up in an increasingly isolated meditation community in the 1980s and '90s—a fascinating, disturbing look at a fringe culture and its true believers.  Claire works as a magazine writer living in Los Angeles, writing for national magazines, covering culture, religion, celebrity, business and whatever else seems interesting. She was formerly a staff reporter for the Los Angeles Times and a freelance reporter for the New York Times. Claire holds a master's degree in religion from the University of Chicago, and a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University. She serves on the board of her family foundation, the Goldhirsh Foundation, as well as the Columbia Journalism School. Her new book is entitled, “Greetings from Utopia Park: Surviving a Transcendent Childhood.”   Visit www.clairehoffman.com. Get the Off the Grid Into the Heart CD by Sister Jenna.  Like America Meditating on FB & follow us on Twitter.  Download our free Pause for Peace App for Apple or Android.

Claire Hoffman is the guest. Her new memoir, Greetings from Utopia Park, is available now from Harper Books.  Claire is a friend of mine here in Los Angeles. She grew up in Fairfield, Iowa in an intentional community founded by the late Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Maharishi, for the uninitiated, was a spiritual guru and the progenitor of transcendental meditation, or TM. Claire's memoir deals in family history, her experiences growing up in Fairfield, and her struggle to come to terms with what it means to lead a spiritual life.   In today's monologue, I talk about my friendship with Claire, and about interruptions, and (again) about my impending move. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Claire Hoffman works as a magazine writer living in Los Angeles, writing for national magazines, covering culture, religion, celebrity, business and whatever else seems interesting. She was formerly a staff reporter for the Los Angeles Times and a freelance reporter for the New York Times. Claire has a master's degree in religion from the University of Chicago, and a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University. She serves on the board of her family foundation, the Goldhirsh Foundation, as well as the Columbia Journalism School. Her new book is entitled, “Greetings from Utopia Park: Surviving a Transcendent Childhood.”  Claire joins Sister Jenna to reflect on her childhood in the heartland, growing up in an increasingly isolated meditation community in the 1980s and '90s—a fascinating, disturbing look at a fringe culture and its true believers.  Visit www.clairehoffman.com. Get the Off the Grid Into the Heart CD by Sister Jenna.  Like America Meditating on FB & follow us on Twitter.  Download our free Pause for Peace App for Apple or Android.