Podcasts about Divinity

Negative and positive beliefs can limit your full expression. Moving beyond them begins with recognizing that beliefs and judgments create separation from what's truly possible. In this episode of the MINDTRX Podcast, Rikka Zimmerman joins host Paul Scheele. She reveals how standing in the space of love—rather than in beliefs—opens you to the intelligence of Divinity, allowing possibilities beyond what you can imagine. Creation through the energy of Source is available to all of us. Rikka Zimmerman is a beacon of empowerment, guiding highly sensitive and talented individuals to embrace their gifts and align with Source. Driven by boundless love for humanity, Rikka is on a soul-driven mission to guide humanity back to love. Her innate gift lies in channeling the infinite, wondrous, and magical consciousness of Source into practical systems, tools, and processes that empower her clients to manifest profound miracles in their lives. Learn more and connect with Rikka at RikkaZimmerman.com. Paul Scheele, PhD, is an acclaimed innovator within the fields of neuro-linguistic programming, whole mind learning, preconscious processing, and accelerated learning. As co-founder of Learning Strategies, he has designed and developed over one hundred programs to stimulate personal and professional success, including the Paraliminals on the MINDTRX app. Others include “PhotoReading at 25,000 words a minute,” “Genius Code,” “Abundance for Life,” and “Future Mapping.” Paul guides people to meet critical challenges in their own lives as well as the world. And he helps them achieve extraordinary results in their relationships, work, finances, health, and spiritual well-being. He is the author of “PhotoReading,” “Natural Brilliance,” and “Drop Into Genius.” Learn more about Paul at www.LearningStrategies.com, www.MINDTRX.com, www.YouTube.com/LearningStrategies, and www.Facebook.com/LearningStrategies. To comment or ask a question about this episode please go to our channel on YouTube at https://youtu.be/o26LXQawYOA.  

This episode of 15:14 features a conversation between Ellen Dykas, Rebekah Hannah, and Curtis Solomon discussing issues related to women in leadership within the biblical counseling movement. Both guests have a long history of service and leadership in their respective ministries and bring that experience to the conversation. Ellen is the Director of Equipping for Ministry to Women at Harvest USA. Rebekah Hannah is the President and CEO of Anchored Virtual and the LSQ Kids Director at Redeemer Lincoln Square in New York City.   You may also listen to our previous episodes with Ellen Dykas and Rebekah Hannah.   FROM OUR SPONSOR:  To learn more about an undergraduate degree in biblical counseling, go to BoyceCollege.com/1514. For more information on the Biblical Counseling and Master of Divinity degree in 60 months go to BoyceCollege.com/five.   ONE WORD ONE WORLD CONFERENCE 2025: To learn more and register for the One Word One World Conference presented by the Biblical Counseling Coalition go to: bccglobalsummit.org. Support 15:14 – A Podcast of the Biblical Counseling Coalition today at biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/donate.

In this episode of Page Burners, the group delves into the Malazan book 'Memories of Ice', discussing key characters such as Toc the Younger, Anaster, and Gruntle. They explore themes of morality, power dynamics, and the nature of romance within the series. The conversation highlights the fast-paced narrative and the complexities of character relationships, particularly focusing on the romantic dynamics between Whiskeyjack and Coralat. The group critiques the lack of buildup in their relationship while reflecting on the broader implications of the characters' choices and actions. In this conversation, the participants explore various themes in fantasy literature, particularly focusing on romantic dynamics, the impact of sieges, and the transformation of characters like Gruntle. They delve into the nature of power and divinity, discussing the concept of 'soul taken' and the mysteries surrounding it. The discussion is enriched with insightful quotes and reflections on the characters' journeys and the underlying themes of the narrative.Send us a messageSupport the showFilm Chewing Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2235582/followLens Chewing on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lenschewingSpeculative Speculations: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/speculative-speculationsSupport the podcast: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/7EQ7XWFUP6K9EJoin Riverside.fm: https://riverside.fm/?via=steve-l

Anne McElvoy and guests explore the intersections between Christian faith and political decision-making and look at some recent dramas which explore the impact of belief.Chine McDonald is director of the Christian Think Tank Theos, Mark Lawson is a writer, broadcaster and theatre critic of Catholic journal The Tablet, Prof Anna Rowlands is St Hilda Professor of Catholic Social Thought & Practice at the University of Durham, Dafydd Mills Daniel is a Lecturer in Divinity at the University of St Andrews and Sam Tanenhaus, has published a biography of influential American conservative thinker and Catholic, William F Buckley Jnr. called Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America.Producer: Debbie Kilbride

Don't even know what's real anymore! Fake news, AI, dictionary. Juneteenth is no good for blacks, blacks! Paul, Muhammad, Joseph Smith, and the "Word of God"?The Hake Report, Friday, June 27, 2025 ADTIMESTAMPS* (0:00:00) Stream* (0:05:54) Crishaun, guest, N-word drama* (0:13:25) Hey, guys!* (0:15:58) LUCAS, CA: I dreamed he was dead! felt alone!* (0:21:49) Super / Coffee / Rumble Rants yesterday* (0:29:00) ALEX, CA: Using AI?* (0:35:59) ALEX: Social Media* (0:38:02) Dictionary is fake news. Don't know what to believe* (0:39:46) News…* (0:53:15) Juneteenth vs Trump* (1:00:12) DAVID, Ocala, FL: Think they're special; Karmelo Anthony* (1:04:47) DAVID: Angel or demon? Paul's warning… CJ* (1:11:07) Shoutout to chat… The Fallen State Lilly Gaddis* (1:16:49) ANTHONY, SoCal: Muhammad…* (1:23:06) ANTHONY: The Bible, the "Word of God"? "Divinity of Jesus"* (1:34:30) ANTHONY: Attack on Church in Syria… Assad? Another coming?* (1:38:57) ANTHONY: Praying for others* (1:40:16) WILLIAM, CA: Hot! Black politicians. Trump winning, Supreme Court* (1:45:17) Supers / Rumble Rants…* (1:48:20) ROB, NorCal: FE vids. Working model.* (1:51:13) JERMAINE, Canada: Punchie TV on fire* (1:53:25) ClosingBLOG https://www.thehakereport.com/blog/2025/6/27/the-hake-report-fri-6-27-25PODCAST / Substack HAKE NEWS from JLP https://www.thehakereport.com/jlp-news/2025/6/27/jlp-fri-6-27-25–Hake is live M-F 9-11a PT (11-1CT/12-2ET) Call-in 1-888-775-3773 https://www.thehakereport.com/showVIDEO: YT - Rumble* - Pilled - FB - X - BitChute (Live) - Odysee*PODCAST: Substack - Apple - Spotify - Castbox - Podcast Addict*SUPER CHAT https://buymeacoffee.com/thehakereportSHOP - Printify (new!) - Cameo | All My LinksJLP Network: JLP - Church - TFS - Nick - PunchieThe views expressed on this show do not represent BOND, Jesse Lee Peterson, the Network, this Host, or this platform. No endorsement or opposition implied!The show is for general information and entertainment, and everything should be taken with a grain of salt! Get full access to HAKE at thehakereport.substack.com/subscribe

[Christ] “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:6-7). Today, I'm going to begin by painting a picture for you. If you visited Philippi, as Paul did, in the late 40s AD, you would have seen a brand-new forum, a monumental square surrounded by various public buildings sheltering the civic life of the colony, a temple for the imperial cult, a marketplace, and more. You would also have seen a very long inscription (nearly 20 metres), made of huge bronze letters, engraved on the floor of the square to commemorate the paving of the new forum by a man who had been a priest of the deified Emperor Augustus. In the northeastern corner of the forum, an honorary monument supporting statues of the emperor Claudius and his relatives was erected. Then, a huge (5 metre long) dedication to the imperial family was carved on a wall at the centre of the city.  Why am I sharing all of these details of ancient Roman architecture with you? Because it's important for us to understand the magnitude of what Paul is saying about who Christ is and what he has done in our verses for today. See, wherever you went in the city of Philippi, it was impossible not to be reminded, by buildings, statues, and inscriptions, who was in charge and who should be worshipped. The answer was obvious to any occupant of Philippi: it was the Roman emperor, known by a Latin title translating to “son of God.” Emperor Augustus had used this title to solidify his power and position within the Roman state. His near-equality with the gods had certainly been used to his own advantage. But then, here comes Paul with quite a different story about who the Son of God is and what he does: “Christ, who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”  Pastor Michael talked yesterday about what it means to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. In the context of the Roman city of Philippi, it was to have the complete opposite mindset of most everyone you encountered around you. You would have walked past towering structures which would have been a daily temptation to interpret the Christ poem we read for today as utter foolishness. What kind of Son of God would choose to become like a servant–or perhaps, to translate the Greek even more accurately, a slave?  This is the kind of God we serve. One who is fully divine and who chose to be made in human likeness. It was not a decision to stop being divine, however, it was a decision to reveal to us what it really meant to be divine. And while we don't have towers of emperors around Hamilton city hall today, this message of radical self-emptying is not much less controversial in our context. We still often carry with us, and have modeled for us by world leaders, definitions of divinity, of power, of authority and influence, that are much nearer the definitions Paul is critiquing than those he is demonstrating as being Christ's own.  So the invitation for us today is to interrogate our own surroundings, as we've done Philippi, and the messages they have for us about what and who is worthy of worship and power. Then, we will be able to hold them up against the example Paul gives, of one who is, in very nature, God, and yet made himself nothing for us. So as you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.  

I met John though my good friend Dane Boyle when I was in a dark patch in my life. He sent me the book caught red handed. It was impactfull. Well Now he is back with Before you give up. We talk about as you can expect life and not giving up but pushing though the hard times. Become the person you want to be and moreBest-selling author and transformative life-coach, Rev. John W. Roberts, is a beacon of hope and healing. With over 30 years as a Teaching Pastor, he specializes in life change, relationship building, and grief counseling. John, a Presidential Scholar with a Masters of Divinity and Psychology degree, is known for his deep spiritual insights and practical guidance. Revered as the "Bishop of the Beach," he currently leads at Grace Presbyterian Church in Corpus Christi, Texas, inspiring countless lives towards hope and transformation.John Roberts

Welcome, my friends, to Paranormal Heart podcast. Tonight's segment is pre-recorded streaming on United Public Radio Network, 107.7 New Orleans and 105.3 the Golf Coast I'm your host, Kat Ward. Thank you so much for tuning in. Paranormal Heart Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. All information shared in this podcast is NOT professional advice. The views and opinions expressed on Paranormal Heart Podcast are not necessarily those of the show host, network or producers. Paranormal Heart Podcast is always respectful and courteous to all involved. Folks, my special guest tonight is best-selling author of six books who helps people visualize and access whole ew worlds of possibility, Cynthia Sue Larson. Cynthia is host of Living the Quantum Dream on the Dream Visions7 radio network, has a degree in physics from Berkeley, an MBA degree and a Doctor of Divinity and there is so much more to her. On segment 39, Cynthia will discuss communicating with pets, specifically with dogs, and how she is able to find a connection even when meeting a dog for the first time. Cynthia's Contact links: https://realityshifters.com/   If you'd like to help support the show, you can pick up you very own Paranormal Heart Podcast mug. Just message me at paranormalheart13@gmail.com. Much love and light to you all.   

Volunteering offers a multitude of benefits. And if you end up retiring sooner than you plan to, it can offer a bridge to what you may decide to do next. Yet, it's easy to take on more than you're ready for too soon. You'll want to learn to set boundaries up front to protect your time and flexibility. Lisa Lewis shares her experiences and lessons learned about volunteering with boundaries. Lisa Lewis joins us from Tampa, Florida. _________________________ Bio Dr. Lisa T. Lewis is the Belief System (B.S.) Boss® and Founder of the Belief System (B.S.) Boss® Institute. Through her transformative Belief System training, she empowers individuals to successfully reengineer their belief systems to transform life's obstacles into possibilities. As an ordained clergy member, award-winning author, TEDx speaker, senior manager, and certified John Maxwell Team Coach, Teacher, Speaker, and Trainer, she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her practice, inspiring personal and professional growth in her clients. She formerly served as the Chief Budget and Financial Management Officer at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) for both the Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) in Lakeland, Florida and the Commissioned Personnel Center (CPC) in Silver Spring, Maryland.  The AOC is best known for the ‘Hurricane Hunters,' a group of aircraft used for hurricane reconnaissance. They fly through hurricanes to help forecasters and scientists gather operational and research data. The crews also conduct other research projects, including ocean wind studies, winter storm research, thunderstorm research, coastal erosion, and air chemistry flights. Her thirty-six-year federal career began as a stay-in-school student, Clerk-Typist with General Services Administration. Although she studied Business Administration at Barton College, she found her federal niche when she was introduced to federal budgeting and finance in 1991. Since then, she has become the “Olivia Pope” of federal budgeting and finance.  She has enjoyed working at a few cabinet-level agencies: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with the U.S. Surgeon General and National Institutes of Health, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Homeland Security. Aside from her recent retirement from Federal service, a few little-known facts about Lisa are that she holds several professional certifications, has authored/published several books, has completed her first TEDx Talk, has an honorary Doctor of Divinity, and is an ordained Elder in the Christian faith. __________________________ For More on Lisa Lewis  LinkedIn Website Amazon __________________________ Podcast Conversations You May Like Grace in Motion – Susan Hartzler Your Identity Beyond Your Job Title – Laverne McKinnon The Mutual Benefits of Intergenerational Volunteering – Atalaya Sergi __________________________ About The Retirement Wisdom Podcast There are many podcasts on retirement, often hosted by financial advisors with their own financial motives, that cover the money side of the street. This podcast is different. You'll get smarter about the investment decisions you'll make about the most important asset you'll have in retirement: your time. About Retirement Wisdom I help people who are retiring, but aren't quite done yet, discover what's next and build their custom version of their next life. A meaningful retirement doesn't just happen by accident. Schedule a call today to discuss how The Designing Your Life process created by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans can help you make your life in retirement a great one – on your own terms. About Your Podcast Host Joe Casey is an executive coach who also helps people design their next life after their primary career and create their version of The Multipurpose Retirement.™ He created his own next chapter after a twenty-six-year ca...

In the months of June-August, First Presbyterian Church of Columbia will be hosting visiting pastors from across the reformed world to speak and preach on a weekly basis - and here at One Another we will be inviting them onto the podcast to introduce themselves and give us insights into their areas of expertise and the state of Christianity in the modern world. We may not get them all, but we look forward to speaking with many of these great leaders! Pastor Cruse is a native of Central Pennsylvania, where he grew up in a home that loved sports, movies, and Reformed theology. He attended Temple University in Philadelphia where he studied film for a time before graduating with a Bachelors of Arts in Communication Studies and English. Shortly after graduation, he married his lovely wife, Kerri Ann, and the two immediately headed for San Diego for Jonathan to earn his Masters of Divinity from Westminster Seminary California. They are enjoying life in Michigan with their children Jacob, Evangeline, and Caleb. Jonathan has been pastor of Community since June of 2017. Pastor Cruse is an avid writer, and has published numerous articles, chapters, hymns, and books. He has written for The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, Core Christianity, Modern Reformation, The Gospel Coalition, and TableTalk magazine. He is author of Worshiping on the Way, Church Membership, Sing in Exultation!, Glorifying and Enjoying God, The Christian's True Identity: What It Means to Be in Christ, What Happens When We Worship, and The Character of Christ.

Sponsors: The Clergy Confessions Podcast (www.clergyconfessions.com); Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity (www.gardner-webb.edu); Baptist Seminary of Kentucky (www.bsk.edu); Baylor's Garland School of Social Work; The Community Transformation Center at Palm Beach Atlantic University (www.pbactc.org); The Center for Congregational Health (healthychurch.org); and The Baptist House of Studies at Union Presbyterian Seminary (www.upsem.edu/). Join the listener community at www.classy.org/campaign/podcast-…r-support/c251116. Music from HookSounds.com.

Series: 1 John: That You May KnowIn a world filled with confusion and counterfeit claims, how can we be confident in what is true? John opens his letter with a bold and personal testimony: he saw, heard, and touched the eternal Word of Life—Jesus Christ Himself. This firsthand witness anchors our faith in the real, incarnate Son of God. When we know this truth, we enter into fellowship with both God and His people. And in that fellowship, we find lasting, unshakable joy.

Send us a textThis episode dives into the first 3 laws of Chaos. These laws are man made and have no foothold in reality. Reason is not part of its logic. The laws of chaos were designed, made and implemented by man in this world to make us doubt, disbelieve and have no faith in a higher power. It is in acknowledging that they exist that we move past them and see what truly was meant to be seen.Thanks for listening!email: trifectanow3@gmail.comAlways Love, DenyseIf you want to and can support my mission to spread this message. You could make a contribution to: Denyse Wigglesworth click on my name and it takes you to BuyMeACoffee.com. Any and all donations are welcomed, greatly appreciated, and most grateful for receiving.

Read Onlinehile they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.” Mark 14:22–24 (Year B Gospel)At the holy Mass, as soon as the priest pronounces the words of the consecration, transforming the bread and wine into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ our Lord, he genuflects, rises, and then says, “The mystery of faith.” What is “the mystery of faith?” Oftentimes, when we say that something is a mystery, we mean that the conclusion is hidden but that there are certain clues to help solve the mystery. And once the mystery is solved, everything is clear and it is no longer a mystery.“The mystery of faith” is much different. Those words are spoken at Mass immediately after the consecration as a way of drawing the faithful into a holy awe and amazement of what just took place. But this mystery can only produce wonder and awe if the reality of what just took place is understood through the gift of faith. Faith is knowing and believing without perceiving the reality before us with our five senses or through logical deduction. In other words, faith produces true knowledge of a spiritual reality that can only be known, understood and believed through spiritual insight. Therefore, if we attend the Mass and have been gifted with the knowledge of faith, then as soon as the consecration of the bread and wine takes place, we will cry out interiorly, “My Lord and my God!” We will know that God the Son is present before us in a veiled way. Our eyes do not perceive, nor do any of our senses reveal to us the great reality before us. We cannot rationally deduce what just took place. Instead, we come to know and believe that the Son of God, the Savior of the World, is now present before us in His fullness, under the veil of mere bread and wine.In addition to the divine presence of our Lord and our God, the entire Mystery of our Redemption is made present. Saint Pope John Paul II tells us that in this moment there is a “oneness in time” that links the Paschal Mystery, that is, the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus, to every moment that the Eucharist is celebrated and made present through the words of consecration. And that unity between each Mass and the Paschal Mystery “leads us to profound amazement and gratitude” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, #5). Do you sense and experience this profound amazement and gratitude each time you attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass? Do you realize as you attend the Mass and as the words of consecration are spoken that the entire Mystery of your redemption is made present before you, hidden from your eyes but visible to your soul by faith? Do you understand that it is God the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity Who descends to us to dwell with us in that moment of time in this glorious Sacrament?Reflect, today, upon the hidden but real Mystery of Faith. Allow yourself to be drawn into a wonder and awe at what you are privileged to attend. Let your faith in the Most Holy Eucharist grow by being open to a deepening of this gift of faith through spiritual insight and belief. Behold this great Gift of the Eucharist with the eyes of faith and you will be drawn into the wonder and awe that God wants to bestow upon you. My ever-glorious Eucharistic Lord, I do believe that You are here, made present in our world under the form of bread and wine, every time the Holy Mass is celebrated. Fill me with a deeper faith in this Holy Gift, dear Lord, so that I may be drawn into wonder and awe every time I witness this holy Consecration. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Philippe de Champaigne, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Hey friend, it's Jody Agard. This week marks the beginning of our Awaken to Your Inner Power series, a series that's all about reconnecting with the strength and peace that are already within you. As we go through these meditations in the coming days, we'll explore different ways to access and embrace the power that resides within.  This series is here to remind you of your own inner divinity—the part of you that is always pure, always whole, and always powerful. Today, we begin with Embrace Your Divinity. Divinity is not a gender; it's a neutral, limitless essence that resides in all of us, just waiting to be recognized and celebrated. So, take a deep breath, relax, and let's embrace that divine power within you. Xo, Jody Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Show Notes: Why do people believe in God, or reject Him altogether? In this compelling episode, Dr. Jay Medenwaldt shares his intellectual and spiritual journey from atheism to belief. A social psychologist with a PhD from Baylor and a current professor at Northwestern College, Jay approached religion from a purely academic lens, interested in why people believed in things he once viewed as clearly false. But, in an effort to avoid confirmation bias and stay true to his role as a researcher, Jay began examining both sides of the argument. To his surprise, the rational and historical case for Christianity was stronger than he expected. Guest Bio: Dr. Jay Medenwaldt, a former Air Force behavioral scientist with nine years of service, including teaching psychology courses at the Air Force Academy and conducting research. Dr. Medenwaldt holds a doctorate in social psychology from Baylor University, with a focus on the psychology of religion and virtue. He also earned a Master of Divinity in apologetics, ethics, and biblical studies, as well as a Master's in psychological sciences. His research has been published in prominent journals, including The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion and Current Opinion in Psychology. Resources Mentioned: The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel The Historical Reliability of the Gospels by Craig Blomberg Reasonable Faith by William Lane Craig Concepts: Confirmation Bias, Cosmological Argument, Teleological Argument Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Email info: info@exskeptic.org

True grit? Not the movie or book, but a real live individual. I met Laura Bratton about a month ago and realized that she was a very unique individual. Laura was referred to me by a gentleman who is helping both Laura and me find speaking venue leads through his company. Laura is just ramping up her public speaking career and our mutual colleague, Sam Richter, thought I could be of help. Little did I know at the outset that not only would I gain an excellent podcast guest, but that I would find someone whose life parallelled mine in many ways.   Laura Bratton began losing her eyesight at the age of nine years. Like me, she was one of the lucky ones who had parents who made the choice to encourage their daughter and help her live her life to the fullest. And live it she does. Laura attended public school in South Carolina and then went to Arizona State University to secure her bachelor's degree in Psychology. Why ASU? Wait until you hear Laura tell that story.   After securing her degree in Psychology she moved to the Princeton School of Divinity where she secured a Master's degree in Divinity. She followed up her Master's work by serving in a chaplaincy program in Ohio for a year.   Then, if all that wasn't enough, she became a pastor in the United Methodist Church and took a position in South Carolina. She still works part time as a pastor, but she also has taken some other exciting and positive life turns. As I mentioned earlier, she is now working to build a public speaking career. She also does one-on-one coaching. In 2016 she wrote her first book.   Laura shares many poignant and relevant life lessons she has learned over the years. We talk about courage, gratitude and grit. I asked her to define grit which she does. A very interesting and good definition indeed.   I often get the opportunity to have guests on this podcast who share life and other lessons with all of us. To me, Laura's insights are as relevant as any I have encountered. I hope you will feel the same after listening to our conversation. Please let me know what you think. You can email me at michaelhi@accessibe.com.       About the Guest:   At the age of nine, Laura was diagnosed with an eye disease and faced the difficult reality that she would become blind. Over the next ten years she experienced the traumatic transition of adjusting to life without sight.  Laura adjusted to her new normal and was able to move forward in life as she graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in psychology. She then was the first blind student to receive her Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary.  She is the author of the book, Harnessing Courage. Laura founded Ubi Global, which is an organization that provides speaking and coaching to empower all people to overcome challenges and obstacles with grit and gratitude. Ways to connect with Dr. Laura:   Link for LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/laura-bratton-speaking   Website https://www.laurabratton.com/   Link for coaching page on website https://www.laurabratton.com/coaching  Link for book on website https://www.laurabratton.com/book   Link for speaking page on website https://www.laurabratton.com/speaking   About the Host:   Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog.   Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards.   https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/   accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/       Thanks for listening!   Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!   Subscribe to the podcast   If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset .   Leave us an Apple Podcasts review   Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.       Transcription Notes:   Michael Hingson ** 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us. Well and a gracious hello to you, wherever you happen to be on our planet today, I am your host, Michael Hinkson, and you are listening to unstoppable mindset where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet, and we sort of get to tie several of those together today, because my guest, Laura Bratton happens to be blind, so that brings inclusion into it, and we could talk about diversity all day. The experts really tend to make that a challenge, but we can talk about it ourselves, but Laura is blind, and she's going to tell us about that, and I don't know what else, because that's the unexpected part of this, but we're going to have ourselves a lot of fun for the next hour. She knows that the only rule of the podcast is you got to have fun, and you can't do better than that. So Laura, welcome to unstoppable mindset. We're glad you're here.   Laura Bratton ** 02:12 Thank you. Thank you for this opportunity. I'm excited.   Michael Hingson ** 02:15 Well, this will be some fun, I'm sure, which is, of course, what it's all about. Well, why don't we start by you telling us kind of about the early Laura, growing up and all that, and anything about that that you think we ought to know that'll help us as we go forward.   Laura Bratton ** 02:31 So the early Laura was,   Michael Hingson ** 02:34 you know, that was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. But yeah,   Laura Bratton ** 02:38 was was fearless. Was involved in so many different activities, and I didn't have any health concerns or vision problems. And then around the age of nine, after the summer, after my second grade school year, my parents started noticing she's just holding books a little bit closer. She's just sitting a little bit closer to the TV than normal, than usually. So my they decided we'll just make a regular pediatric ophthalmology appointment, take her to the doctor, get the doctor to check her out. You know, if you need glasses, that's fine, and we'll just move on with our our summer and prepare for a new school year. So that June, when I had that doctor's appointment, my eyes were dilated. I'd read the the letters on the chart in the room. The doctors had looked in my eyes, and then the doctor just rolled back in his chair and looked at my mom and said, there's a major problem going on, and we need to address this, and I'm going to send you to a retina specialist. There's something major going on with her retinas. So from that appointment that started the rest of the summer and into the fall of just having doctors, different doctors appointments, meeting with specialists, trying to figure out why this 910, year old was all of a sudden having vision problems.   Michael Hingson ** 04:20 So yeah, go ahead that,   Laura Bratton ** 04:22 yeah. So that started the whole vision loss journey,   Michael Hingson ** 04:27 and what was the diagnosis that they finally came up with?   Laura Bratton ** 04:31 So they finally came up with a diagnosis of rare retinal onset disease. So it's not genetic. It wasn't like another accident, physical accident that calls the blindness. It's most similar to macular. So what I was losing first was my central vision. I still had all my peripheral vision, so it's very similar to macular, but not. Not quite macular or star guards. What's happens in children? So that's the diagnosis, just rare retinal disease.   Michael Hingson ** 05:11 Interesting, and they they didn't have any idea that what caused it. Do they have any better idea today? Or is it just so rare that they don't tend to pay a whole lot of attention. Great   Laura Bratton ** 05:23 question, yes and yes. So I've done a lot of genetic testing over the years, and the gene has not been discovered. That is obviously what they are predicting, is that there had to be some kind of gene mutation. But that gene hasn't been discovered. So far, the genes that are identified with vision problems, those have not been the problem for me so far. So the gene, Gene hasn't been discovered. So testing continues, but not exactly sure yet.   Michael Hingson ** 05:59 Yeah. So do you have any eyesight left, or is it all gone?   Laura Bratton ** 06:04 I don't, so to continue kind of that process of of the the early childhood. So I was diagnosed around nine, but I didn't lose any major vision until I was in middle school. So the end of middle school is when I started to lose a significant part of sight. So I went from very quickly from roller print, large print, to braille, and that was a very quick transition. So basically it was normal print to learning Braille and using Braille and textbooks and Braille and audio books and all that. Then through high school, I will throw more a significant amount of vision. So what I have currently is just very limited light perception, no, what I consider no usable vision, just light perception,   Michael Hingson ** 06:55 so you learn braille. So you learn braille in middle school. Then, yes, okay, absolutely. What did you think about that? Because that was certainly a life change for you. How did you deal with all of that?   Laura Bratton ** 07:10 How did I do with the process of learning braille or the emotional process?   07:14 Both,   Laura Bratton ** 07:16 they're kind of related, so both, they're very much related. So learning Braille was incredibly difficult because I was trying to learn it at the same time. Use it with textbooks in middle school level material rather than normal development. Of you learn braille and start out, you know, with with simple books, and slowly move up. I try, you know, I had to make that adjustment from learning Braille and then algebra in Braille or Spanish and Braille. So using the Braille was very difficult, but I was because I was forced to to learn it, because I had to, just to stay in school. You didn't really have a choice. As far as the emotional perspective. My first thoughts was just the denial, oh, it's not that bad, oh, it won't be forever. Oh, it's not going to get much worse than this. Just that denial of the reality. And then I can say more, if it just kind of that whole how that whole process unfolded, that's kind of the whole emotional process. It   Michael Hingson ** 08:34 certainly was a major change for you, yes, but it sounds like by the time all was said and done, and you did have to immerse yourself, like in learning Braille and so on. So it was an immersive kind of thing. You, You did come through it, and you, you seem to be functioning pretty well today, I would gather   Laura Bratton ** 08:55 Yes, because of focusing on the emotional mindset piece. So once that I've sort of began to move out of denial. It was that, okay, well, I can't this is just too hard. And then what I eventually realized and accepted was, yes, it's hard and I can move forward. So just a practical example, is what you were saying about having to be fully immersed in the Braille. Yes, is really hard to jump from learning braille to knowing Braille and algebra. But also choose to move forward. As you said, I choose to immerse myself in this so that I can continue life, yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 09:42 and you you have done it. Well, how? How do you view blindness today?   Laura Bratton ** 09:49 That is a great question. So today is the balance of acknowledging. Yes, they're difficult moments. Yes, their stressful moments. Moments, and I have the resources to process that. So now, rather than just being a denial or being stuck in that I can't do this, I can say, okay, yes, this is hard. Yes, I am frustrated. Yes, I am overwhelmed in this moment, but also I can move forward with the gifts and purposes that I have in this world and using that as a strength. So for me, it's that acknowledging the rap the reality, but also moving forward with that belief in myself, trust in myself.   Michael Hingson ** 10:39 So how long did you at the beginning really grieve and view all this in a negative way? Because it sounds like you've evolved from that today.   Laura Bratton ** 10:53 Absolutely. So in my experience, the so I'm going to break the grief and the negative apart, because for me, it was two different experiences. So for me in those middle school, high school days, it was more than negative, and the grief just came along with that. Now even, you know, through college and even now, yes, there are moments that I grieve, but that negativity has turned into the mindset of strength, the mindset of trust, the mindset of okay, I can continue forward Again, living out those purposes, my purpose with those gifts as a source of strength, the source of courage. It's a source of just belief in myself. So my experience now is the mindset of holding both intention, holding space for both when I have those moments that I need to grieve, absolutely, giving myself those space and then at the same time, choosing to move forward with that courage, rather than being stuck in what I was in middle school of that negativity. Does that difference? Does that make us make sense of what I'm trying to separate the two?   Michael Hingson ** 12:19 Well, yeah, they overlap, but I understand what you're saying, Where, where and how were your parents in all of this?   Laura Bratton ** 12:28 So that was the incredible gift, that that was a deep source of strength, that as that middle school child who was in that negative place of denial and I can't, I can't. That was the source of strength. So immediately, when I was diagnosed, even though I didn't have major vision loss, I was diagnosed in elementary school, they wanted to send me to school for the deaf and blind, and so my parents had to fight to keep me in regular school. Again, I wasn't experiencing major vision loss, but just having minor vision loss, the school said, Okay, you're at a public school and going to a different school. So my parents were a source of strength, because they knowledge what was happening, what was going to happen, but also held me to the same standards.   Michael Hingson ** 13:25 And there are some schools, I don't know how much today, but in the past, there were some schools for the blind, and I'm not sure about schools for the deaf and blind, but we'll put them in the same category. But there were some schools that really did have very high standards, and and did do a great job. The Perkins School was one. Tom Sullivan, the actor, went through Perkins and and I know other people who did, but in general, the standards weren't the same, and I had the same issue. I remember my parents. We were in the office of the school principal of Yucca school where I went kindergarten through third grade here in California, okay, and I remember a shouting match between my father and my mother on one side, and Mr. Thompson, the principal on the other. And by the time all was said and done, he decided that it was he was going to acquiesce, because they were not going to let me go to the school for the blind, which would have been like, 400 miles away.   Laura Bratton ** 14:38 Okay, okay, so, so you can relate to that experience.   Michael Hingson ** 14:42 I can absolutely relate to that experience, and I think that it's for kids one of the most important things to hope comes along that parents deal with blindness in a in a positive way. Yes, and don't view it as something that's going to hold you back. I. 100% Yeah, because if they do, then that creates a much more difficult situation. Yes. So it's it's great that you had some parents who really stood up for you and helped as you went   Laura Bratton ** 15:15 Yes, and I was also deeply grateful that they all they held those standards at school, and they also held those standards at home. So they didn't just say, oh, you know, our expectations are lower for you at home, you don't have any more chores. You just kind of do whatever you want, get away with whatever you want. They kept those things standards. I still had chores we just made, you know, the accommodations are adapted if we needed to adapt anything. Yeah, a story that I always, always remember, just like you talking about you vividly remember being in that principal's office. I remember one day my the specific tour was unloading the dishwasher, and I remember thinking, well, oh, I'm not really, I don't really want to unload the dishwasher today. So I just kind of thought, Oh, the blindness will get me out of the situation. So I was like, Mom, I can't unload the dishwasher. I can't see exactly where to put all the silverware in the silverware of her door. And I still, I can still see this in my mind's eye. She was standing in the doorway the kitchen and the hallway, and she just turned around and just said, Laura, unload the dishwasher, put the silverware in the drawer, and just walked away. And that told me she was still holding me to the exact standards. She wasn't saying, Oh, honey, that's okay because of your blindness. Yeah, you don't have to do it. That was such a huge teaching moment for me, because it pulled me I can't use my blindness as an excuse. That was incredible experience and I always think back on and remember,   Michael Hingson ** 17:04 yeah, and I remember growing up, there were chores I did, there were chores My brother did, and there were things that we had to do, but we had, and my brother was cited two years older than I, but okay, but we had very supportive parents for both of us. And one of the things that the doctors told my parents when they discovered that I was blind, was that I was going to take all the love that the family had, even for my older sibling. Oh, my parent and my parents said that is just not so, and they worked really hard to make sure that my brother got all the things that that he needed and all the support that he needed as well. Wow. When he was still in high school, I remember they got him a car, and I don't remember when he got it. Maybe, I don't know whether he was already a senior in high school, but he got a car. And, you know, I didn't want a car. I right. I didn't want that, but, you know, that was okay. I would have driven it around if I got one, but, you know, that's okay, but, but parents are such an important part of the process, yes, and they have to be ready to take the leap, yes, that blindness isn't the problem. It's attitudes. That's really, that tend to really be the problem, right? 100%   Laura Bratton ** 18:24 and thankfully, thankfully, I had that. I had that experience another, another example that I always think of all the time, still such a vivid memory, is as as a family. We were a big sports family, and loved to go to different sporting events, and so we would always go to high school and college football games. And as I was in those middle school, high school years, those first, early days of experiencing difficult vision loss, where obviously I'm sitting in the sands and can't see the field clearly, rather than my parents saying, Oh, you're just going to stay home. Oh, you're not going with us. To be part of this, my dad are really, literally. Remember my dad saying, Here's a radio. I just put new batteries in. Let's go. So I would just sit there and, you know, with with my family, listening to the game on the radio. And that was such a gift, because, again, they didn't say, is what you're saying about the leap. They didn't say, okay, you can do this anymore. They just figured out a way to adapt so that I was still part.   Michael Hingson ** 19:34 Yeah, I've been to a number of baseball games, and the same thing, I've never been I've been to a high school football game, but I've never been to a pro football game, and I've never been to a basketball game, and while I think it would have been fun, I'm a little bit spoiled, and I think that the announcers today aren't as good as the announcers that we used to have, like Dick Enberg doing sports out here, who did. Football chick, Hearn, who did basketball, who could talk as fast as, I mean, he was, he was he taught me how to listen fast. That's great. He he talked as fast as many times books I read talk. He was just incredible. But that's okay. But still, I've been to games, and it is a lot of fun to be able to go and listen. It's even if you're listening on the radio, the point of being at the game is just the sounds and the experience of being at the game and hearing and interacting with all the sounds, because you're not hearing that as much through the radio as you are listening to the fans as they yell, or as the Yes, as the foul balls coming at you. You know, yes 100%   Laura Bratton ** 20:50 and just to feel the energy, you know, and your team's doing well, your team's not doing well, just to feel that energy, and there's to also to be there and have that, that fun experience with your family or friends, or you know, whoever you're with, that is such a fun experience. So yes,   Michael Hingson ** 21:08 so when you went into high school, did, what did you study? Or what did you do there?   Laura Bratton ** 21:15 What were your interests? So in college, when I   Michael Hingson ** 21:18 was thinking high school, but you can do college. So   Laura Bratton ** 21:21 High School, honestly, I didn't have specific professional interests, because it was just so much focused on the blind surviving and all the surviving, just the New Black, because the blindness was literally happening during high school, right? So my only focus was just survival passing because it was all of my energy was focused on the the learning Braille and just completing the assignments. Fast forward to college. My focus was definitely. My major was psychology. My focus was on psychology. A lot because of my personal experience, because of that experience in high school, and just that that not only that desire from my personal experience, but just using that experience to then help and support others from the mindset of of again, moving through that, that negativity to that, that foundation of grit. So it was definitely focused on psychology to be able to support others from a mindset perspective.   Michael Hingson ** 22:36 So how did you bring that into play in college?   Laura Bratton ** 22:40 So that was my focus. My My major was psychology, and then I I spent that, those years in college, figuring out specifically what area of psychology I wanted to focus on, which what, what facet of psychology I wanted my focus to be so that was, that was the purpose of the like psychology and taking different classes within psychology to try to figure out where my strengths within that Major   Michael Hingson ** 23:16 and what did you discover?   Laura Bratton ** 23:20 So what I discovered was I wanted the psychology to the mindset, to support people with to be that holistic perspective of, yes, the psychology, but also the spiritual connection and just our physical well being all connected together, so supporting our healthy mindsets and emotional health was not just psychology. It was the psychology, physical taking care of ourselves and the spiritual taking care of ourselves, all connected, combined together. So that's that's what led me to doing a master of divinity to be able to focus on and learn the spiritual part   Michael Hingson ** 24:15 of the mindset. So what part of psychology Did you eventually settle on   Laura Bratton ** 24:22 the holistic approach. So rather than just focus on specifically the mindset, focusing on us as a whole, being, supporting us through that mental, physical, spiritual connection that the healing, the empowerment came through, through all of that. So in that masters, what I focus on specifically was chaplaincy, so supporting people specifically I was a hospital chaplain, so focusing on helping people within the hospital setting, when they're there for different physical reasons and. Being able to be that spiritual presence focusing on both the spiritual and the emotional.   Michael Hingson ** 25:07 And where did you do your undergraduate study?   Laura Bratton ** 25:11 So I did my undergrad at Arizona State, and I was going to say a large reason, but not just a large reason, pretty much the whole reason I chose ASU was for their disability resources. So a major focus that that they emphasize is their disability resources is not a separate part of the university, but it's completely integrated into the university. So what I mean by that example of that is being a psychology major. I still had all the same classes. I was still in all the same classes as all the other psychology students on campus. I just had the accommodations that I needed. So that would be double time all testing or note takers, if I needed note takers in a class. So they did an incredible job, like they had a whole Braille lab that would print Braille books and provide books in PDF format. So the accommodations that I needed as a person who was blind were integrated in to the whole college experience. So that was incredibly powerful for me as a person who had just become blind and didn't know what resources were available.   Michael Hingson ** 26:37 Did you have any major challenges and major issues in terms of dealing with blindness and so on, while you're at ASU,   Laura Bratton ** 26:44 not at all. I am so grateful for that, because I wasn't the only person on campus who was blind. I wasn't the first blind person. I certainly wasn't the last so because they had so much experience, it was, it was an incredible, again, empowerment for me, because on the emotional perspective, it taught me, and literally practically showed me, yes, I give me a person with a disability and be integrated into the world, because They they showed me the resources that were available. So I was deeply, deeply grateful for what they taught me. Now, where did you grow up? So I grew up in South Carolina,   Michael Hingson ** 27:31 so that is and that's why I wanted to ask that, because we hadn't mentioned that you were from South Carolina before, but that was a major undertaking. Then to go all the way across country to go to ASU, yes. On the other hand, they do have a pretty good football team.   Laura Bratton ** 27:49 Just say Right, right, right   Michael Hingson ** 27:52 now, my I went to University California, Irvine. I don't even know. I'm sure they must have some sort of a football team today, but they do have a pretty good basketball team, and I haven't heard whether they won the Big West, but I haven't Yeah, but I haven't heard that they did. So I'm afraid that that they may not have until going to march madness. Yeah, but whatever,   Laura Bratton ** 28:21 team for March Madness spell your bracket in a different way.   Michael Hingson ** 28:25 Well, they've been in the big dance before they got to the Sweet 16 once, which was pretty cool. Wow, that's impressive. Yeah, that was pretty cool. That's so cool. What did your parents think of you going across country   Laura Bratton ** 28:42 again? Just like you talked about your parents being that taking that leap, they were incredibly supportive, because they knew ASU would provide the resources that I needed. Because again, in those years as I'm losing a major part of my sight, we didn't know other people who are blind. We didn't know what resources were available. Obviously, my parents reach out to people around us, you know, to connect with people who are blind, to learn about that, but we didn't have a lot of experience with that. So what we knew, and what my parents were excited about was ASU would be a place that I can not only have that college experience, but be taught the resources. And one of the major resources was my disability coordinator, so my disability coordinator, who was in charge of of creating all my accommodations, she was also blind, and that was such a healing experience for me, because she became a mentor. She was blind since birth. She. And so obviously we had different experiences, where I was just newly blind. She had been blind, but still, she was an incredibly powerful resource and mentor of just telling me, teaching me, not just telling me through her words, but living through her actions, you still have a full life like you're you're still a few a full human like you. This life still goes on. So she just modeled that in the way that she lived. So she she was, I'm so grateful for her mentorship, because she was very real. She had minimized blindness. But also she told me and taught me and showed me there's still a full, great life ahead,   Michael Hingson ** 30:53 which is really what all of us are trying to get the world to understand. Blindness isn't the end of the world. It's not the problem   Laura Bratton ** 31:02 exactly, exactly, she literally modeled that,   Michael Hingson ** 31:06 yeah, which was pretty cool. Well, then where did you go to get your Masters of divinity?   Laura Bratton ** 31:11 So then I went to get my masters at Princeton Theological Seminary, and that was a completely different experience, because, where as you, was completely set up for people with disabilities in the master's program, they had not had someone come through their program who was blind. So in that experience, I had to advocate and be very, very clear on what my needs were, meaning what the accommodations were that I needed, and then advocate that to the administration, which that wasn't a gift, because ASU had given me the foundation of knowing what I needed, what the accommodations Were then available. And then Princeton gave me the opportunity to become my own advocate, to force me to speak up and say, These are my needs, and these are accommodations I have. With these accommodations, I can be an equal student, so I'm not asking, Hey, give me good grades because I'm blind, but make the accommodation so that I have my books and PDF so I have double time on the test. So that was just as healing and just as powerful, because it gave me the opportunity to advocate and become clear on my needs so that I could communicate those needs. So   Michael Hingson ** 32:38 this is part of Princeton in New Jersey. Yes, so you were were in Jersey for a while, huh? Yes,   Laura Bratton ** 32:45 I went from sunny weather to   Michael Hingson ** 32:50 snowy weather. Well, you had some of that in South Carolina too, though,   Laura Bratton ** 32:53 yes, true, but from undergrad, it was quite the change.   Michael Hingson ** 32:58 Ah. But the real question is, when you were in New Jersey. Did you get to meet any members of the family? You know what I'm saying, the mob, Oh yes, absolutely being bada. Boom. Come on now,   Laura Bratton ** 33:11 definitely, definitely, definitely, absolutely, absolutely, yeah, lot of local restaurants and Oh yes,   Michael Hingson ** 33:21 oh yes. When we were building our home in New Jersey, my wife was in a wheelchair her whole life, and we decided that when we went to New Jersey, because I was going to be working in the city New York, we wanted to build a house, because it's cheaper to build an accessible home for somebody in a wheelchair. My wife then it is to buy a house and modify it so we wanted to build. And it turns out that the person who financed the building, we got a mortgage and all that without any difficulty, but we had to get somebody to build the house. And the realtors had people they worked with, the financier. Part of that was from a guy, well, let's just say his main business was, he was in the garbage business, and his last name was, was Pinto. So, you know, let's just say we know where he got his money. You know,   Laura Bratton ** 34:18 yes, yes. I had several those experiences too. Yeah, the garbage business seems to be big in Jersey. It   Michael Hingson ** 34:25 is big in Jersey, but, but, you know, but they were all, they were all very nice to us good. And so it really worked out well. It did. It all worked out. We had a wonderful home. The only difference between our house and the others around us is we had to include an elevator in the house, okay? Because we couldn't have a ranch style home. There wasn't room, and so we had to have and all the other homes in the development were two story homes, okay, but we had to have an elevator. So that was essentially about a $15,000 An uplift over what the House would have cost otherwise. But right again, you build it in so it's not that huge of a deal,   Laura Bratton ** 35:06 right? That's perfect. So all your neighbors are jealous.   Michael Hingson ** 35:10 Well, they didn't have the elevator. They didn't come and ride it much. So they didn't ask for their their their bigger challenges were, who's giving the biggest party at Christmas or Halloween? So we didn't participate in that, so we weren't we weren't a problem.   35:28 That's great,   Michael Hingson ** 35:30 yeah, so you've talked about grit a couple times, so tell me about grit, because clearly that's important to you,   Laura Bratton ** 35:39 yeah? So it's so important to me, because that was a main source of empowerment. So just as I talked about that negativity in the middle school high school, what grit helped me to do is take the overwhelming future that I was so fearful, I was extremely anxious as I looked at the whole picture everything ahead of me. So the grit came in and taught me. Grit is taking it day by day, moment by moment, step by step. So rather than looking at the whole picture and getting overwhelmed, the power of grit taught me all I need to do is trust myself for this next hour. All I need to do is trust in the support that my parents are giving me this next day. So breaking it down into manageable goals was the strength of the grit. So to break it down, rather than the whole future,   Michael Hingson ** 36:49 I didn't ask, do you did you have any siblings? Do you have any siblings?   Laura Bratton ** 36:53 Yeah, so I have one older brother. Okay, so   Michael Hingson ** 36:57 how was he with you being that you were blind. Was he a good older protective brother who never let anybody near his sister?   Laura Bratton ** 37:06 He was a good older protective brother in that he did exactly what my parents did in not having different expectations. Yeah, he so he's five years older. So when I'm 14, losing a significant amount of vision, or 15, losing a certain amount of division. He, you know, was 1920 doing great in college. So a perfect example of this connects with the grit he, he taught me, and again, not in word, not so much in words, but again, in those actions of we will figure this out. We don't know the resources that are available. We don't know exactly what the future looks like, but we as a family will figure this out. Me, as your older brother, our parents being our parents, we will figure it out day by day, step by step. And I remember a lot of people would ask my parents, what's her future, and then even ask my brother, what's her future? What's she gonna do? And they would honestly answer, we don't know, but as a family, we'll figure it out, and we'll provide the strength that she needs, and that's what I mean by the grit. So it wasn't, this is her future, and they just, you know, named it for being home with us, right? But it was, I don't know, but day by day, we'll have the grit to figure it out. So I'm glad you asked about my siblings, because that's a perfect example of how that grit came into play and was such a powerful source of strength.   Michael Hingson ** 38:54 So what did you do after you got your master's degree?   Laura Bratton ** 38:58 So after I got my master's degree, I then did a residency, just like I was talking about the chaplaincy. I did a residency specifically in chaplaincy to to complete that process of being a chaplain. So in that that was a year long process, and in that process, that was an incredible experience, because, again, it taught me, you are a complete human with gifts and talents. You just happen to be blind and need specific accommodations because of the blindness. So what I mean by that is, just as ASU gave me the resources regarding blindness, and just as Princeton gave me the gift to advocate for those resources, the experience in the chaplaincy taught me when I walked into a high. Hospital room and introduced myself as the chaplain on the unit. The patient didn't know, or didn't care how long I had been blind, or how did I make it on the unit? Or how did I know they wanted chaplain? They didn't care. They were just thankful and glad that I was there to serve them and be in that Chaplain role. So it was that's why it was empowering of healing to me, because it taught me not to focus so much on the blindness, but to view myself as that whole person, especially in that professional experience, so I can give endless examples of specifically how that, how, just the patient reaction taught me so much.   Michael Hingson ** 40:49 Where did you do your chaplaincy?   Laura Bratton ** 40:52 I did it at the Clinton clinic in Ohio. Oh,   Michael Hingson ** 40:56 my goodness, you did move around. Now. What got you there? Speaking of snow in the winter, yeah,   Laura Bratton ** 41:02 literally, I Yes, I can talk about that. And a lot of experiences there with snow, like effect snow is real. So they were very strong in their chaplaincy program and developing Kaplan's and also their Kaplan Z training was a focus that I wanted that holistic mind, body, spirit. It wasn't just spiritual or wasn't just psychological, it was the holistic experience of a whole person. So how wanting that to be my focus moving forward, that's where I chose to go to be able to focus on that. So again, it was such an incredible source of of healing through just through those patient interactions.   Michael Hingson ** 41:58 Well, one of the things that is clear about you is you're not bitter about any of the things that have happened, and that, in reality, you are a person who appreciates and understands the concept of gratitude.   Laura Bratton ** 42:11 Yes, yes. And specifically, let me go back to those high school days, and then I'll come back to the chaplain days, the way of the gratitude my focus started was not because I wanted gratitude, not because I chose to woke up, wake up one day and say, Oh, I'm so grateful for this blindness. But it all came through a mentor who said to me in those high school days, Laura, I want you to start writing down three things that you are grateful for each day and every day, I want you to write down three things that you're grateful for. So in my mind, my immediate reaction as a teenager, high schooler, was that's not good advice. I'm not sure you're a good mentor. I'm experiencing a major change in life, permanent life event. I don't know that there's a lot to be grateful for. So in my stubbornness, I said, Okay, I'm going to prove her wrong. So I started to think of the three things each day I was grateful for. And over the weeks that I did this, I then realized what she was teaching me, she was showing me. She wasn't asking me to be grateful for the blindness. She was asking me to recognize the gifts that the support that I had within the blindness. So, for example, the supportive parents, the older brother, who didn't make accommodations, or I mean, did make accommodations. Didn't lower expectations because of the blindness. So fast forward to the chaplaincy. I was incredibly grateful for all those patient experiences, because, again, it taught me to view myself as the whole person, not so hyper focused on the blindness. So one specific example that sticks out and was so clear to me is one day I had a patient request that one to see a chaplain, and I went in to this specific unit, and the so I walked in, my walked into the room, the patient took a look at my guide dog and me, and said, You're blind, like completely with this question or voice. And my thought was, well, I think so. I mean, that was this morning when I woke up, and so I said, Yes. And she said, Okay, then I'll, I'll share honestly with you how I'm doing and what I had learned, what I learned after my visit with her is she would not open up to the doctors, the nurses, the social workers, anyone who walked in the room. When I walked in the room and she didn't feel like she was being judged on her physical appearance, she was willing to open up and honestly share how she was feeling emotionally with her physical diagnosis. So that led that one conversation led to multiple visits where she could move forward in her healing emotionally because she was willing to open up and share and be honest with me as the chaplain. So that was an incredible situation of gratitude, because it taught me, yes, this is hard, yes, this is stressful. Yes, there are moments of being overwhelmed, and also their deep, deep moments that I am incredibly grateful for, that other people who are side sighted don't have that opportunity.   Michael Hingson ** 46:36 One of the things that I talk about and think about as life goes on, is we've talked about all the accommodations and the things that you needed to get in order to be able to function. What we and most everyone, takes for granted is it's the same for sighted people. You know, we invented the electric light bulb for sighted people. We invented windows so they can look out. Yes, we invent so many things, and we provide them so that sighted people can function right. And that's why I say, in large part, blindness isn't the problem, because the reality is, we can make accommodations. We can create and do create alternatives to what people who can see right choose, and that's important for, I think, everyone to learn. So what did you do after your year of chaplaincy?   Laura Bratton ** 47:39 So after my year of chaplaincy, after that incredible experience of just offering the patient care, I completed the part of the well after assorted in the master's program. But then after that, also completed my ordination in the Methodist Church. So I was appointed. I went to the process the ordination process, and then I was appointed to a local church back here in South Carolina. And again, with my focus on chaplaincy, my focus on patient care, I was appointed to that church for because what they needed most in the pastor the leader, was that emphasis on the pastoral care the mind, body, spirit connection. So as I became pastor, I was able to continue that role of what I was doing in the Kaplan see, of using both my professional experience as well as my personal experience of providing spiritual care to the members. So that was an incredible way. And again, that gratitude, it just I was so grateful that I could use those gifts of pastoral care, of chaplaincy to benefit others, to be a strength to others. Again, is that that whole person that that we   Michael Hingson ** 49:13 are now? Are you still doing that today? Or what are you doing   Laura Bratton ** 49:16 now? So I'm still I'm still there part time, okay,   Michael Hingson ** 49:21 and when you're not there, what are you doing?   Laura Bratton ** 49:23 I'm doing professional speaking, and it's all centered around my passion for that again, came when I was at Princeton, when I was doing the focus on chaplaincy, I became so passionate about the speaking to share my personal experience of the change I experienced, and also to empower others as they experience change, so not to be stuck in that. Negativity like we talked about in those middle school, high school days, but rather that everybody, regardless of the situation, could experience change, acknowledge it, and move forward with that balance of grit and gratitude. So that's my deep passion for and the reason for the speaking is to share that grit gratitude, as we all experience change.   Michael Hingson ** 50:26 So what made you decide to begin to do public speaking that what? What was the sort of the moment or the the inspiration that brought that about,   Laura Bratton ** 50:40 just that deep desire to share the resource that I'd experienced. So as I received so much support from family and community, is I had received that support of learning how to use the grit in the change, and then as I received the sport support of how to use the gratitude in the change, the reason for this, speaking and what made me so passionate, was to be able to empower others to also use this resource. So I didn't just want to say, okay, it worked for me, and so I'll just keep this to myself, but rather to use that as a source and empowerment and say, Hey, this has been really, really difficult, and here's how I can use the difficulty to empower others to support others.   Michael Hingson ** 51:31 So how's that working for you?   Laura Bratton ** 51:34 Great. I love, love, love supporting others as they go through that change. Because again, it comes back to the blindness. Is not not all we focus on, it's not all we think about, it's not all we talk about, it's not all we do, but being able to use that as a shrink to empower others. So just speaking to different organizations as they're going through change, and working with them speaking on that. How can they specifically apply the grit, the gratitude? How does that? What does that look like, practically, in their organization, in their situation? So I love it, because it takes the most difficult thing that I've been through, and turns it around to empower others.   Michael Hingson ** 52:24 What do you think about the concept that so many people talk about regarding public speaking, that, Oh, I couldn't be a public speaker. I don't want to be up in front of people. I'm afraid of it, and it's one of the top fears that we constantly hear people in society have that is being a public speaker. What do you think about that?   Laura Bratton ** 52:47 So two, two perspectives have helped me to process that fault, because you're right. People literally say that to me every day. How do you do that? I could never do that. I hear that every single day, all day, and what I've learned is when I focus on, yes, maybe it is the large audience, but focusing on I'm speaking to each person individually, and I'm speaking. I'm not just speaking to them, but I was speaking to serve them, to help again, that empowerment, to provide empowerment. So what I think about that is I don't focus on, oh my gosh. What are they going to think of me? I'm scared up here. Rather to have that mindset of, I'm here to share my life experiences so that they can be served and empowered to continue forward. So just shifting the mindset from fear to support fear to strength, that's that's how I view that concept of I could never do that, or that's my worst fear.   Michael Hingson ** 54:01 So a lot of people would say it takes a lot of courage to do what you do, what? How do you define courageous or being courageous?   Laura Bratton ** 54:08 Great question. That's a working, work in progress. So far, what I've learned over the years and again, this is a process. Not there wasn't just one moment where I said, Okay, now I'm courageous, and I'm courageous forever, or this is the moment that made me courageous, but how I understand it and how I process it now is for me and my experience courage is accepting and acknowledging the reality and then choosing to move forward with the grit, choosing to move forward with the gratitude. So holding both intention, both can be true, both I can acknowledge. Okay, this is difficult. Cult, and also I can also believe and know. I can have the grit moment by moment by moment. I can have the gratitude moment by moment by moment. So for me, courage is holding both intention the reality and what I mean by both is the reality of the blindness and reality of the frustration of people's faults, judgments. You know all that you can't do this. How can you do that without sight holding all of that at the same time as I have the support I need to move forward? So for me, Courage looks like acknowledging why I'm overwhelmed and then choosing at that same time to move forward with the support that I have. Mm, hmm. So again, that's what I mean by it's not just like one moment that, oh yeah, I'm gonna be courageous now forever, there's certainly a moment so I don't feel courageous, and that's okay. That's part of garbage. Just acknowledging that frustration and also choosing to move forward. So it's doing both it at the same time.   Michael Hingson ** 56:10 We live in a world today where there is a lot of change going on, yes, and some for the good, some not for the good, and and all sorts of things. Actually, I was reading an article this morning about Michael Connolly, the mystery writer who, for four decades, has written mystery books. He's lived in Los Angeles. He had a wonderful house, and everything changed when the fires hit and he lost his home and all that. But he continues to to move forward. But what advice would you give? What kinds of things do you say to people who are undergoing change or experiencing change?   Laura Bratton ** 56:52 I'm so glad you asked that, because I I didn't mention this in the grit so much of the grit that I experienced. So the advice I would give, or practically, what I do with someone that just what I did right before our we connected, was being being that grit for someone going through change. So in that, for example, in that speaking when I'm speaking to a group about the change they're experiencing, acknowledging, for them to acknowledge, let me be your grit. You might be overwhelmed. You might be incredibly fearful and overwhelmed by the future, by the task in front of you. So let me be the example of grit to to show you that there is support, there is courage, there is that foundation to be able to move forward. So that's my first advice, is just allowing others to be your grit when you don't feel like you had it, because, again, in those high school days and and even now days when I don't feel like I have any grit, any courage, and yet, I'll lean on the courage, the strength, the grit, of those around me so once they acknowledge and allow me to be their grit, and they their support through that change, then allowing them to slowly have that grit for themselves, and again reminding them, it's not an instant process. It's not an instant do these three steps and you'll have grit forever. But it's a continual process of grit and gratitude that leads us through the change, through the difficulty.   Michael Hingson ** 58:46 Have you used the technique that that person that you talked about earlier in high school used when she asked you to write down every day three things that you were grateful for?   Laura Bratton ** 58:56 Yes, absolutely, and the the funny part of that, what that makes me laugh is a lot of people have the exact same reaction I had when I present it to them. They immediately say, I'm not going to do that. That's no Why would I do that? They immediately think that is a horrible piece of advice. And how can I recommend? And I just, I don't say, Oh, well, just try it anyway. I just say, Well, okay, just try it and see. Just, just prove me wrong. And just like my experience, they try it and then a week or two days like, oh, that actually worked. I didn't think that would so, yeah, I'm so glad you said that, because that happens a lot. People said that is that doesn't make sense. Why are you telling me to be grateful in the midst of this overwhelming situation? So yes, great, great perspective that happens all the time.   Michael Hingson ** 59:55 Well, we've been doing this now for about an hour, but before we wrap up, do you. Have any other advice that you want to pass on for people who are dealing with change or fearing change in their lives right now,   Laura Bratton ** 1:00:08 the advice would be, take it step by step, moment by moment, rather than trying to navigate through the whole change at one time that's overwhelming, and that that's not the process that is most healing. So to trust in yourself, to trust that grit around you, and then just like, like you were saying, and ask me, and it doesn't seem like it'll work, but try the gratitude, try that three things every day you're grateful for, and just see what happens as you navigate through the change. Yeah.   Michael Hingson ** 1:00:52 And it really does work, which is the point?   Laura Bratton ** 1:00:54 Which is the point? Right? Right? We don't think it's going to but it, it totally does   Michael Hingson ** 1:00:59 well. Laura, I want to thank you for being with us. This has been absolutely wonderful and fun, and I hope that people who listen got and who watch it got a lot out of it. And you, you provided a lot of good expectation setting for people. And you, you've certainly lived a full life. We didn't mention we got us before you we we sign off. You're also an author,   Laura Bratton ** 1:01:24 yes. So I wrote harnessing courage again, just like the reason I speak, I was so passionate about taking the grit and the gratitude that I use that was such a source of Empower for me, I wanted to tell my story and tell it through the perspective of grit and gratitude so that other people could also use it as a resource. So the book tells my story of becoming blind and adapting and moving forward, but through the complete expected perspective of the gratitude, how I didn't believe the gratitude would work, how I struggled with thinking, Oh, the gratitude is ridiculous. That's never going to be source of empowerment. Yet it was so. The purpose of the book, my hope, my goal for the book, is that people can read it and take away those resources as they face their own change their own challenges.   Michael Hingson ** 1:02:30 And when did you write it? So I wrote   Laura Bratton ** 1:02:33 it in it was published in 2016 Okay, so it that that definitely was, was my goal and passion, and that just writing the book was incredibly healing. Was like a great source of strength. Cool,   Michael Hingson ** 1:02:50 well, I hope people will get it. Do you do any coaching today or   Laura Bratton ** 1:02:54 Yes, so I do coaching as well as the speaking so the the one on one coaching, as people are experiencing difficult, difficult or just navigating through change, I do the one on one coaching as well as the speaking,   Michael Hingson ** 1:03:11 which is certainly a good thing that chaplaincy taught you. Yes, 100% Well, thank you again for being here, and I want to thank all of you for being with us today, wherever you are. We would appreciate it. I would definitely appreciate it. If when you can, you go to wherever you're listening to or watching the podcast and give us a five star review. We absolutely value your reviews. I'd love to hear your thoughts about this, and I'm sure Laura would. So you're welcome to email me at Michael, M, I, C, H, A, E, L, H, I, at accessibe, A, C, C, E, S, S, i, b, e.com, love to hear your thoughts. And also, of course, as I said, we'd love your your five star reviews, wherever you're listening. Also, if any of you, Laura, including you, have any thoughts of others who we ought to have on this podcast, we're always looking for more guests, and we really would appreciate it if you'd let anyone know who might be a good guest in your mind, that they can reach out or email me, and I'll reach out, but we really would appreciate that. But again, Laura, I just want to thank you one more time for being here and for taking all this time with us today.   Laura Bratton ** 1:04:27 Thank you for the opportunity, and thank you for hosting this podcast. Incredibly powerful and we all need to be reminded   **Michael Hingson ** 1:04:37 You have been listening to the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. Thanks for dropping by. I hope that you'll join us again next week, and in future weeks for upcoming episodes. To subscribe to our podcast and to learn about upcoming episodes, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com slash podcast. Michael Hingson is spelled m i c h a e l h i n g s o n. While you're on the site., please use the form there to recommend people who we ought to interview in upcoming editions of the show. And also, we ask you and urge you to invite your friends to join us in the future. If you know of any one or any organization needing a speaker for an event, please email me at speaker at Michael hingson.com. I appreciate it very much. To learn more about the concept of blinded by fear, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com forward slash blinded by fear and while you're there, feel free to pick up a copy of my free eBook entitled blinded by fear. The unstoppable mindset podcast is provided by access cast an initiative of accessiBe and is sponsored by accessiBe. Please visit www.accessibe.com . AccessiBe is spelled a c c e s s i b e. There you can learn all about how you can make your website inclusive for all persons with disabilities and how you can help make the internet fully inclusive by 2025. Thanks again for Listening. Please come back and visit us again next week.

On this episode, we're back live at Lot 63 in Winston-Salem. I was joined once more by Corey Walker & Bill Leonard for a wide-ranging conversation from the Council of Nicaea to smartphone addiction. We explore the roots of our civilizational crisis, tracing lines from the Anabaptist radicals 500 years ago who said "God alone is judge of conscience" all the way to today's algorithmic plantation where our phones know us better than we know ourselves. Bill reminded us that the mentality behind drowning Felix Manz in 1527 is the same one calling for politicians to be "tarred and feathered" today and drew out the connections between Christian Nationalism and the SBC. Corey talked about fear as the driving force across the religious spectrum, the collapse of institutions that never included everyone anyway, and why the "rise of the nones" might actually be the Spirit revealing itself in new places - like right here at Lot 63 on a Thursday night. Sometimes the best church happens when you're arguing across difference instead of hiding in your algorithmic echo chamber. Corey D. B. Walker is Dean of the School of Divinity at Wake Forest University. As a scholar, he's committed to a broad vision of human flourishing. His research, teaching, and public scholarship span the areas of African American philosophy, critical theory, ethics, and religion and American public life.  Bill Leonard is the Founding Dean and Professor of Divinity Emeritus at Wake Divinity. Leonard's research focuses on Church History with particular attention to American religion, Baptist studies, and Appalachian religion. He is the author of over 25 books, including  The Homebrewed Christianity Guide to Church History: Flaming Heretics and Heavy Drinkers. Previous Episodes Bill & Corey: Losing Sleep Before God Welcome to the Post-Christian Century the Fundamentalization of American Religion Listening Beyond the Times The History and Transformation of American Christianity  Faith and Politics Through Church History ONLINE SUMMIT: Democracy in Tension - NAVIGATING THE INTERLOCKING CRISES OF DEMOCRACY AND RELIGION Democracy today faces profound challenges – polarization, inequality, populist authoritarianism, and widespread cynicism are eroding the foundations of democratic life. Yet, what if democracy's greatest strength lies not in eliminating these tensions, but in productively embracing them?The summit will navigate the complex terrain between political equality and social justice, liberal freedom and democratic sovereignty, and ethical demands and political action. As always, the class is donation-based, including 0. INFO & Sign-Up at www.HomebrewedClasses.com ⁠⁠⁠Theology Beer Camp ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. This event features a lineup of well-known podcasters, scholars, and theology enthusiasts who come together to "nerd out" on theological topics while enjoying loads of fun activities. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get info and tickets here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. _____________________ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 45 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How fast are you living your life? Today's frantic pace of life means opportunities to learn, grow and connect with the people we love the most pass us by. Listen in as David shares his learnings on slowing down, becoming a better parent and much more.Rev. David Melber is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina (BCH) effective January 1, 2025. David is responsible for casting the overall vision for the nonprofit as well as overseeing all aspects of its many ministries throughout NC, SC and internationally. His desire is to ensure the needs of those BCH serves are compassionately met and the hope of Jesus Christ is shared.David Melber is a Kentucky native who has dedicated his career and calling to non-profit ministry within Southern Baptist life. He has served in executive positions with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and Send Relief, a collaboration between NAMB and the International Mission Board (IMB). After surrendering to a call to ministry, he attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY where he received his Master of Divinity.Melber has been married to his wife, Tera, since 1991. The couple, who are now empty-nesters, have three biological children and three adopted children.https://www.bchfamily.org/https://www.facebook.com/BCHFamily/https://www.instagram.com/bchfamilyhttps://x.com/bchfamilyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/david-melber-78890b10/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

How did a non-Mormon who teaches in Virginia get interested in Mormon History? John Turner has written the newest biography of Joseph Smith. He is a professor of History at George Mason University and has written not only the pre-eminent biography of Brigham Young, but has a new biography called "Joseph Smith: The Rise & Fall of an American Prophet." We'll discuss both of these amazing biographies and why he chooses to write about these important Mormon figures. Check out our conversation... Don't miss our other conversations with John: https://gospeltangents.com/people/john-turner/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission https://youtu.be/szj5SYdO0wA Dive Deep into Joseph Smith and Brigham Young with Historian John Turner! Are you a fan of Mormon history, science, and theology? Then you won't want to miss the latest interview on Gospel Tangents, featuring renowned East Coast scholar Dr. John Turner. Rick sat down with Dr. Turner to discuss his brand-new book, "Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet," which is set to release on Amazon on June 17th. Meet the Historian: Dr. John Turner Dr. John Turner is a professor at George Mason University in Northern Virginia. Turner's academic journey is quite interesting: He completed his undergraduate degree in History and German at Middlebury College in Vermont. He then pursued his PhD in US History at the University of Notre Dame. Interestingly, he took a detour during his PhD to earn a Master of Divinity at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, an experience he found helpful for writing about religious experience and doctrine with more information and sensitivity. Turner's interest in Latter-day Saint history was sparked by meeting "extremely winsome and engaging personalities" like Patrick Mason and Matt Grow while at Notre Dame. He also realized that the Latter-day Saint story was a bit of local history for him, having grown up near Palmyra, New York, "where it all began." Although his dissertation focused on American evangelicalism, he sought to learn new things for his second project and found the Joseph Smith and Brigham Young eras "so fascinating.” Non-Mormon Scholar's Perspective on Mormon History Dr. Turner has authored multiple books on Mormonism, including "Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet" and "The Mormon Jesus," in addition to his new Joseph Smith biography. As a non-Mormon (he identifies as Trinitarian), Turner notes a key difference in his approach: he can express his conclusions and share his findings without worrying about "an ecclesiastical reaction" or "getting excommunicated," which might be a concern for Latter-day Saint scholars. He is "pretty single-minded" when working on a book, focusing on one project at a time. Inspiration Behind the Joseph Smith Biography Turner found it "a really good time to take on a Jo Smith biography"11. His primary motivations for writing about Joseph Smith, especially after his Brigham Young book, were twofold12: Engaging Foundational Questions: Writing about Brigham Young allowed him to largely "take for granted" core beliefs and events, but with Joseph Smith, it was an "opportunity and a challenge to return to that... foundational time period" and "engage some hard questions". These include questions about golden plates, divine messages, and Joseph's motivations for plural marriage. Joseph Smith as a Biographical Subject: Turner describes Joseph Smith as a "great biographical subject" – a "mirthful, colorful man" who is "energetic and dynamic." His public life, spanning essentially 15 years, was "packed" with events, demanding a "fast-paced story". Turner also lavishes praise on the Joseph Smith Papers project, calling it "fantastic" and an "enormously useful" resource that provided a "huge head start" due to its accurate transcriptions, images,

Of course, you can have a breakthrough on a vision quest in nature, or in a dream.  Maybe not a piece of chocolate.  But anything, potentially anything can stop your mind and let your inherent Divinity peek through.  How great it is.  Or rather, how great it was...  —  Gurudevi Nirmalananda   Watch Gurudevi's full discourse “Guru's Grace” here: https://gurudevi.vhx.tv/products/guru-s-grace-6-1-25   #yogamysticism #gurudevi #svaroopameditation #spirituality #divine #yoga #siddhayoga #muktananda #gurudevinirmalananda #meditation #blissyoga #svaroopayoga #swaminirmalananda

In this episode of Wellspringwords: The Podcast, Nkem speaks with Mystic and Writer Tania Hart on the journey of remembering who we are as true creative beings. The conversation weaves through cycles of creativity; the importance of death in the creative cycle; surrendering back into the body; and mysticism, self-acceptance, and self-sovereignty.This episode is a rich reflection of two women devoted to the journey of embodied sovereignty and embodied Divinity. We hope you experience your reflection in this conversation, too. Please enjoy fully and share it with another being who would benefit!Let us know what this episode brought to mind or heart for you in a podcast review, ⁠⁠⁠on Instagram⁠⁠⁠, or via email at bewell@wellspringwords.love. Be well!***Timestamps:00:10 - Introduction to the podcast and guest, Tania Hart 04:17 - What's been Tania's journey of self-discovery?08:00 - The writing journey as a personal process of self-knowing12:22 - Our mysticism, self-acceptance, and self-sovereignty17:53 - Enjoy an embodied care ritual with SIIKA Herb and Honey Co.'s Body Nectar20:18 - Returning to the deep knowing21:27 - The role of the body & cycles in the creative expression journey33:30 - A Writer's Paradise on-demand creative wellness platform!35:29 - The dance of the Masculine and Feminine forces in our creative evolution40:55 - Living through the body and staying home in the body46:27 - Stay connected & continue the conversation!***Deepen your soulful writing and self-discovery journey through our on-demand creative wellness platform, A Writer's Paradise.And nourish your creative ritual with ⁠SIIKA Herb + Honey Co.'s Body Nectar and other self-nourishment products⁠ using code WELLSPRINGWORDS for 15% off your purchase.***Find Tania here:⁠@iamtaniahart⁠Find Wellspringwords® here:⁠⁠⁠www.wellspringwords.love/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wellspringwords⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Wellspringwords newsletter⁠⁠⁠Find Nkem here:⁠⁠⁠www.bynkem.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bynkemstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠@a.more.nuanced.way⁠⁠⁠@nourishandembody⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem's personal newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem's poetry collection - Poetry and the immediate: A collection of sensed spaces⁠***Don't forget to rate, review, share, and subscribe!Want to show more love? ⁠⁠Leave us a tip⁠⁠ to support this growing platform. :)

THE EUCHARIST: Heaven's Answer to Every Ache (Ep. 469)Summer is here! In this special episode, Steph and Greg kick things off with warm-hearted banter—recalling their very first date on June 21, 1996, which (yes, really) became the same date of their wedding just one year later. From a drive-in movie to lifelong covenant, they reflect on the deeper thirst behind every human heart.That ache—for connection, for healing, for purpose—is not random. It's a divine homing signal.And there's only one answer.The Eucharist.Not just a symbol. Not just a ritual. But the real, living presence of Jesus Christ—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—given to us as the source and summit of everything we long for.In this episode of IGNITE Radio Live, Steph and Greg unpack:7 signs we may be missing what the Eucharist really is5 earth-shaking truths about what it means—and what it offersAuthentic, verifiable stories of Eucharistic power changing livesHow to respond: living a Eucharistic life, right now, right where you areIf you've ever felt restless, weary, or spiritually dry—this one's for you.We invite you to subscribe free to our growing daily Live IT Today reflections at ⁠⁠LiveITToday.us⁠⁠—a powerful, brief, daily way to hear God's voice in the Gospel and live it out. Help us share the story of Slaying Giants—learn more at ⁠⁠SlayingGiants.us⁠⁠Come walk with us. Let Him draw near. Let Him make all things new. Tune in. Be refreshed. Be challenged. Be transformed.OUR MISSION: We're uniting families in building the Kingdom. Over the past ten years, thousands have been blessed by a "family roadmap." We've been united in gathering in our respective homes every week to talk and pray using a fun, meaningful "Live IT Gathering Guide" based on subsequent Sunday readings. Get your free LIT Guide at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ILoveMyFamily.us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or the Live IT App at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠http://MassImpact.us/APP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.We would be so grateful for your prayers, engagement, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Partnership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.GO: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://MassImpact.us/PARTNER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We are a full-time missionary movement 100% dependent upon your prayers and financial partnership.SUPPORT OUR MISSION BY USING OUR AMAZON BUTTON⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/461FFAT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BUY ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GREG'S BOOKS HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Twelve Roses" 12 Messages. ONE LIFE.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/4gX4Glu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"The Magnificent Piglets of Pigletsville: Our Present-Day Plight Wrapped in a Fairytale"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3KIX87x⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IF YOU'RE A CATHOLIC MAN interested in missioned friendships marked by the hearts of men united in striving to build the Kingdom. GO:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://Pentecost365.us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SUPPORT CATHOLIC BUSINESSES and leaders committed to professional excellence and building the Kingdom. GO: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://MassImpact.us/KINGDOM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Oh, Most Holy Spirit, come and IGNITE the Great FIRE of Your Love! Set it ABLAZE in our minds and hearts!#Friendship #Mission #Catholic #Marriage #Family #ilovemyfamily #ThyKingdomCome #christian #home #faith #children #virtue #holiness #funny #inspiring #love #parents #happiness #heaven #politics #culture

Part 2. Divinity, Eternal, Fatherly, Good An opinion poll in Britain found that around two-thirds of the population claimed to ‘believe in God'.  To understand the significance of this fact, further questions should have been asked: ‘which god?'; and, ‘what sort of god?' The first was necessary because of the influx of immigrants with other religions. The second was necessary because even among Christians opinions vary about the kind of God they worship. While David was preparing this series of sermons on God's multifaceted character, he hit on the idea of linking divine attributes to the letters of the alphabet, hoping thereby to make it easier for his listeners to remember them. All went well until the letter ‘X'. Whether this was dealt with satisfactorily you can to decide.

Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Fr. John Gavin to share more ways that the Church Fathers are quoted in the Catechism. Other guests include Teresa Tomeo from Catholic Connection, and Kevin Schmiesing with This Week in Catholic History. Plus news, weather, sports, and more… ***** A Fatima Prayer to the Trinity Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly, and I offer You the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference with which He Himself is offended. And, through the infinite merits of His most Sacred Heart, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of You the conversion of poor sinners. ***** Dr. Benjamin Reinhard, author of The High Hallow: Tolkien’s Liturgical Imagination Full list of guestsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sponsors: The Clergy Confessions Podcast (www.clergyconfessions.com); Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity (www.gardner-webb.edu); Baptist Seminary of Kentucky (www.bsk.edu); Baylor's Garland School of Social Work; The Community Transformation Center at Palm Beach Atlantic University (www.pbactc.org); The Center for Congregational Health (healthychurch.org); and The Baptist House of Studies at Union Presbyterian Seminary (www.upsem.edu/). Join the listener community at www.classy.org/campaign/podcast-…r-support/c251116. Music from HookSounds.com.

This episode of 15:14 is the final episode in our series highlighting speakers for the 2025 BCC Global Summit. Tim Challies is a well-known author, speaker, blogger, and pastor. Tim was scheduled to speak at the 2020 Global Summit before we had to put the conference on hold due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Although this episode was recorded prior to that decision, the content of the interview is still encouraging and helpful. We pray that you will be blessed by it and inspired to join us for the 2025 Global Summit.   FROM OUR SPONSOR:  To learn more about an undergraduate degree in biblical counseling, go to BoyceCollege.com/1514. For more information on the Biblical Counseling and Master of Divinity degree in 60 months go to BoyceCollege.com/five.   ONE WORD ONE WORLD CONFERENCE 2025: To learn more and register for the One Word One World Conference presented by the Biblical Counseling Coalition go to: bccglobalsummit.org. Support 15:14 – A Podcast of the Biblical Counseling Coalition today at biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/donate.

Faith Matters is a bi-weekly Basilica of Saint Mary podcast that features conversations with Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector of the Basilica, on topics of interest to Basilica parishioners and the Universal Church. Today's episode centers on the Eucharist, as Father Hathaway invites parishioners to participate in the parish's June 22nd Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession and points out why it's important to be reverent to the fact that Jesus is fully present -- Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist -- citing a recent TV show that mocked the Eucharist.  All are invited to take part in our traditional Corpus Christi procession following the 5 p.m. Mass on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Clergy and parishioners will participate in this prayerful, joyous witness to our core Catholic belief in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. After the Mass, we will process with the Blessed Sacrament, south along Royal Street, to the school gym at 400 Green Street, and back to the Basilica for Benediction. Following Benediction, there will be a reception in the courtyard at 314 Duke Street that will feature Perrier, Prosecco and popsicles.  

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in March 2018. Adam McHugh is an author, former hospice chaplain, spiritual director, and minister, and now a wine tour guide and sommelier. The author of Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture, he is an ordained Presbyterian minister, having earned a Masters of Divinity and Masters of Theology in Greek New Testament from Princeton Theological Seminary. He is also the author of The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction. Since this interview was recorded he has written a memoir, Blood from a Stone. Adam lives in California's Santa Ynez Valley, and may be the only person published in both Psychology Today and Wine Enthusiast. Links Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Read the transcript of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights 4:30 Becoming an ordained minister 7:30 What led to writing Introverts in the Church 10:50 Explanation of introversion and extroversion 16:00 Problems that introverts experience at church 19:00 Understanding the discomfort of personal vulnerability and sharing beliefs as an expression of faith 22:00 Introverts generally prefer depth over breadth 24:00 The power of listening: experience at a hospital 30:00 Introverts and small talk 34:00 How introverts approach dealing with conflict and decisions 40:00 Silence, reverence, and the internal experience compared to active social environments 45:20 Cultural clash of introvert and extrovert leaders: overcoming stereotypes and encouraging introverts to be leaders 48:50 Reaching out to invite introverts to participate The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.

Hui Chen is a luminary in the world of Ethics and Compliance, and she is our guest on today's episode of Great Women in Compliance. Today, Hui is one of the co-founders of CDE Advisors, which stands for “Culture. Data. Ethics.” Most of us know Hui from her work at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and her contributions to the Evaluation of Corporate Compliance for the Fraud Section. However, my career path included being a prosecutor, in-house compliance work, and even being inspired to pursue a Master's degree in Divinity after the 9/11 attacks. Hui discusses the origins of the ECCP and her perspective on its current use. She also discusses the opportunity in the “FCPA pause” and how organizations can broaden their ethical considerations beyond foreign bribery to focus on relationships with all stakeholders. She discussed how the focus on regulatory guidance, particularly on bribery outside the United States, is just one of many areas to consider as a compliance professional.  She also offers practical advice based on her experiences working with global compliance functions and the lessons she has learned.

Support the show:https://www.paypal.me/Truelifepodcast?locale.x=en_USBuy Grow kit: https://modernmushroomcultivation.com/This Band willl Blow your Mind! Codex Serafini: https://codexserafini.bandcamp.com/album/the-imprecation-of-animaRev. Dr. Jessica Rochester: In an age where plant medicines are paraded like commoditiesand sacred sacraments are filtered through the sterile lens of profit and protocol,there stands a bridge—woven not from theory,but from decades of devotion,grit, and grace.Rev. Dr. Jessica Rochester is that bridge.Madrinha. President. Torchbearer.Founder of Céu do Montréal, the Santo Daime Church she brought into being in 1997—not as a rebellion,but as a restoration of sacred memoryto the North.A transpersonal counselor forged in the crucibles of Assagioli and Grof,she speaks the languages of the soul and the somatic,guiding seekers not around, but through the sacred fire of self-confrontation.She walked the bureaucratic labyrinth from 2000 to 2017,securing a Section 56 Exemption—not for fame,but to protect the sacrament of Santo Daime from the cold fists of the state.She is an ordained Interfaith Minister,a Doctor of Divinity,and an author whose two-volume opus—Ayahuasca Awakening—is less a book and more a mapfor those ready to take off their masksand meet the jaguar within.For over four decades she has led workshops,held private practice,stood at the crossroads of consciousness and culture,teaching not how to escape,but how to embodythe radical act of spiritual adulthood.And today,while the psychedelic renaissance sells peak experiences,Rev. Dr. Jessica Rochester whispers of something older,quieter,stronger—The long walk home.The humble medicine of self-care,self-mastery,and sacred discipline.So if you came for a keynote speaker,step aside.If you came for a true guidebetween the seen and unseen,prepare your heart.Because the Madrinha is not here to entertain you.She is here to remind you who you werebefore the world told you who to be.https://www.revdrjessicarochester.com/ Support the show:https://www.paypal.me/Truelifepodcast?locale.x=en_USCheck out our YouTube:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPzfOaFtA1hF8UhnuvOQnTgKcIYPI9Ni9&si=Jgg9ATGwzhzdmjkgGrow your own:https://modernmushroomcultivation.com/This Band Will Blow Your Mind: Codex Serafinihttps://codexserafini.bandcamp.com/album/the-imprecation-of-anima

Each age presents opportunities for Humanity to acquire knowledge in order to manifest our destiny to transform the cosmos in collaboration with Divinity. The artistic image of The Black Madonna offers insights to how our collective experience through the mysteries as evolved. From the beginnings of creation as portrayed through the Divine Sophia, through Isis and the Virgin Mary, the mysteries of each age reveal themselves through the art of each epoch.To make a one time donation of any amount to support the podcast, please donate tohttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/BlackMadonnaHeartBecome a Patron for the channel at https://www.patreon.com/TheBlackMadonnaSpeaksTo purchase Black Madonna Speaks extra content, please visithttps://www.patreon.com/theblackmadonnaspeaks/shop#divinefeminine #sacredfeminine #virginmary #ourlady #blackmadonna #anthroposophy#spiritualjourney #spirituality #Isis #Divinesophia #Divinemysteries #sacredmysteries #luninousmysteries

Today, Ray Low and I talk about welcoming diverse perspectives on the Bible.Pastor Ray graduated from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree and is currently serving in New York City as Director of Community Engagement and Spiritual Formation at Kaleidoscope, a local and multiethnic ministry that exists to bridge the gap between the Church and the LGBTQ+ community through missional and pastoral care.Support Kaleidoscope's Jesus at Pride campaign by becoming a one-time or monthly donor at kaleidoscopeusa.org. Follow Kaleidoscope on socials @kaleidoscope.usa Join the Found Family crew over on Substack and get your free copy of the Found Family Cheat Sheet! Support the show

This episode is an exploration of what and why we become distracted by the mental, emotional or physical events that keep us small or in looping patterns, instead of choosing the bigger picture of our own divinity and natural adeptness for alchemising what shows up in our lives. As we continue to move into a deeper knowing of our own divinity, we are being called to be more impeccable with letting go of what does not serve our future/new selves. At this precious moment when we are so beautifully ripe for the next expansion into ourselves we can get distracted by things that come in to pull our attention away from that expansion. As a metaphor, when you break your toe, suddenly your baby toe becomes your whole world. It's an invitation to become aware of anything that harnesses our attention to focus only on our limitation, on our “smallness,” rather than an awareness of our “vastness” or divinity.  Recognition of how and where you are doing this allows you to let go with more ease and turn your focus to your divinity which naturally “alchemises” the distraction into your personal gold. It's time to remember our divinity and see clearly our seat at the table. Noticing where and how your personal alchemy appears, and how you can use that to create a pure love soup for yourself and for this world. What is your unique recipe to bring to life here and now. It's time to share it beloved.   When remembering our divinity becomes our focus through the “toe-stubbing” then we allow our natural alchemy to come forward to nurture this world with the pure love soup that is ours to bring into material form. It's happening in the sweet silence of our true hearts. Let the alchemy of your song of wonder rise up and join in a beautiful chorus. Much love, Christine

Sponsors: The Clergy Confessions Podcast (www.clergyconfessions.com); Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity (www.gardner-webb.edu); Baptist Seminary of Kentucky (www.bsk.edu); Baylor's Garland School of Social Work; The Community Transformation Center at Palm Beach Atlantic University (www.pbactc.org); The Center for Congregational Health (healthychurch.org); and The Baptist House of Studies at Union Presbyterian Seminary (www.upsem.edu/). Join the listener community at www.classy.org/campaign/podcast-…r-support/c251116. Music from HookSounds.com.

This episode of 15:14 is a rebroadcast of an interview Curtis did with Steve Midgley, the Executive Director of Biblical Counseling of the United Kingdom (BCUK), who also serves on the Board of Directors for the BCC.  Steve is one of the speakers who will be sharing at the 2025 BCC Global Summit and was scheduled to speak at the BCC 2020 Global Summit. This interview was recorded before we made the difficult decision to suspend that event. Steve shares how the Coronavirus has impacted life and ministry in the UK and discusses the value of gathering with and learning from people of other cultures.    FROM OUR SPONSOR:  To learn more about an undergraduate degree in biblical counseling, go to BoyceCollege.com/1514. For more information on the Biblical Counseling and Master of Divinity degree in 60 months go to BoyceCollege.com/five.   ONE WORD ONE WORLD CONFERENCE 2025: To learn more and register for the One Word One World Conference presented by the Biblical Counseling Coalition go to: bccglobalsummit.org. Support 15:14 – A Podcast of the Biblical Counseling Coalition today at biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/donate.

Recently, it has been argued that the double use of the title Lord in reference to Jesus ("Lord, Lord") is a claim to be the person of Adonai Yahweh. This week's episode examines such a claim, first by examining the Hebrew texts in question, then by exploring how the Gospel writers use the title "Lord" in different ways, and finally by interpreting the passages in question. In sum, Jesus is not claiming to be Adonai Yahweh. Instead, he is summoning his followers to obey his teachings and submit to his lordship.  Visit Amazon to buy your copy of my book Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John: https://a.co/d/6nFEbZg      Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintruthtalks                                  To view the notes from this episode please click the link below: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-2cjnZ5WB8YNqljBfCpZ-cKXtvcYKFPzo6v2V_oM64E/edit?usp=sharing        Check out some of my videos on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@BiblicalUnitarianPodcast    Follow us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/OneGodPodcast  

Ellie & Danny discuss some popular distorted teachings from the spiritual matrix designed to keep people disconnected from their own Divinity. The Masters of Self University PODCAST is your highest source of Sacred Truth and Universal Wisdom, offered by Rachel Fiori, mystical teacher, psycho-energetic healer, & CEO. Join our journey of soul transformation with hosts Ellie Lee, Danny Morley, and the rest of our amazing Certified Mystical Coaches of Oneness™.↓↓↓ STUDENT ENROLLMENT INFORMATION:  ↓↓↓  https://www.mastersofselfuniversity.com/university-enrollmentRachel's Book on Amazon:  ⁠https://shorturl.at/hkyLRJoin Our Free Discord Community:  https://www.mastersofselfuniversity.com/resources#discordMasters of Self University:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mastersofselfuniversity.com/Ellie's Social Media:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@ellieyjlee⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ellieyjlee⁠⁠⁠⁠Danny's Social Media:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dannyfmorley  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@dannyfmorley  www.youtube.com/@DannyfMorley  NEW EPISODES EVERY MONDAY AND THURSDAY!

Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle are joined by Dr. Mike Sirilla to explore the divine and human nature of Jesus Christ. Together, they unpack heresies, clarify common misconceptions, and highlight key biblical and historical moments that reveal the true essence of God. Snippet from the Show “Who is Jesus? What is Jesus? He is the perfect union of Divinity and humanity.” We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

In this episode we're joined by Dr. Christy Cobb and Dr. Katherine Shaner to talk about their new edited volume, Ancient Slavery and Its New Testament Contexts (published by Eerdmans). Dr. Christy Cobb is Associate Professor of Christianity in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Denver, and Dr. Katherine Shaner is Associate Professor of New Testament at Wake Forest University School of Divinity. Over the course of the episode we discuss the different essays in the volume, what the inception of the collection was, Dr. Cobb and Dr. Shaner's respective contributions to the book, and some of the intriguing developments on the scholarship of ancient slavery for understanding New Testament texts. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Adishian, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, and Rev. Daniel Parham. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on 20 Minute Takes, Nikki Toyama-Szeto talks with Dr. Jenny Dyer, the founder of The 2030 Collaborative. They discuss the reality of foreign aid from the United States, how the recent funding cuts have directly impacted global health and the lives of HIV/AIDS patients around the world, and how it came to be that the American Christians in the early 2000s began to address the global HIV/AIDS emergency. This is a critical episode that you don't want to miss.Jenny Dyer is the Founder of The 2030 Collaborative. She also directs the Faith-Based Coalition for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria in partnership with Friends of the Global Fight.Dyer has taught in the Department of Health Policy at Vanderbilt School of Medicine, as well as at Vanderbilt's School of Divinity. She lives in Franklin, Tennessee with her husband, John, and two boys, Rhys and Oliver.You can learn more about her and her work here.20 Minute Takes is a production of Christians for Social ActionHosted by Nikki Toyama-Szeto Produced by David de LeonEditing & Mixing by Wiloza MediaMusic by Andre Henry

Dr. Lance Cutsforth has been involved in mental wellness and optimization since he was a teenager. He is an Army veteran who served as an enlisted Special Forces communications sergeant as well as an InfantryOfficer.  His teaching and training ranges from indigenous mentorship to various modalities of psychotherapy to alternative therapies to naturopathicsolutions to gut health assessment and regulation.  He hold Doctorates in Functional Medicine and Divinity and is double board certified Functional Medicinepractitioner.  He practices from a place of Lived Experience when it comes to addressing childhood trauma, military trauma, suicidal ideation, TBI, andaddiction.  He has worked with the medical application of cannabis to treat opioid addiction and trauma in the veteran population since 2010.  He personally found deep and profound healing through the catalyst of entheogenic medicines and robust post-medicine support and integration and has since integrated those medicines into his multi-modal approach to care. He and his wife Amy founded Mons Sana in Colorado - a community created to provide access to safe, supportive healing for military, first responders, law enforcement, veterans of those callings, and the family members who are or have supported those who serve.  Lance and Amy work with those struggling with trauma, suicidal ideation, TBI, addiction, depression, anxiety and help them transition from Survive to Thrive utilizing a multi-modal approach that addresses the Three Pillars of Wellness: I. Physical/Physiological; II. Psychological/Mental/Emotional; and III. Spiritual/Community.Part I was interrupted by connectivity issues, Part II picks up promptly where Miguel and Dr. Lance left off.

Rev. Dr. Marshall MacClellan currently serves as the Canon Theologian for the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy. Cn Marshall served 24 years as a Chaplain in the U.S. Air Force at tactical, operational, and strategic levels of leadership concluding with serving at the Pentagon as the Deputy Joint Staff Chaplain for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Cn Marshall deployed four times in the CENTCOM AOR. He was an Instructor at the Air Force Chaplain Corps College leading the Education Division. Prior to entering the military in 1998, Cn Marshall was a United Methodist minister serving four parish churches in Florida. He has also served as a law enforcement chaplain with the Auburndale Police Department, FL, Val Verde County Sheriff's Office, TX and currently at the Green Cove Springs Police Department, FL. Cn Marshall was ordained in Anglican Holy Orders as a transitional Deacon in Feb 2011 and Priest in July 2011. He holds a Bachelor degree from Florida Southern College, a Master of Divinity from Duke University and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. He and Christy have been married for 38 years and have five children.

Here's another fantastic conversation with Justin Barrett, cognitive scientist extraordinaire, who spends his time at the intersection of science and religion. We dove deep into why developmental psychology is such a powerful lens for understanding human nature - turns out you can't figure out if a zebra is white with black stripes or black with white stripes just by looking at adult zebras, you've got to watch how they develop. Justin walked us through the fascinating story of human evolution and our hyper-sociality, from our massive brains (five to seven times bigger than expected for mammals our size!) to our unique ability to think about each other's thoughts about our thoughts. We explored how kids naturally develop agency detection, theory of mind, and teleological reasoning - basically why three-year-olds spontaneously ask "what's that mountain for?" and start wondering about invisible agents. Then we got into the weeds about how our Stone Age minds are navigating modern technologies like social media and AI, with Justin making a compelling case using his "kudzu analogy" about technologies that spread too fast for us to understand their consequences. From the crisis of masculinity to boomers getting radicalized during COVID lockdowns, we covered how our evolved psychology is both a gift and a vulnerability in our rapidly changing world.  Check out his new book, How Can Your Faith Fuel Scientific Discovery?: Questions and Reflections for Becoming an Integrated Scientist. Justin L. Barrett is President of Blueprint 1543 and honorary Professor of Theology and the Sciences at St Andrews University School of Divinity. Barrett previously taught in Fuller Theological Seminary's School of Psychology, in the Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology at Oxford University, at the University of Michigan, and at Calvin University. Justin's Previous Visits to the Podcast Thriving with Stone-Age Minds This is Your Brain on God – Cognitive Science and the Naturalness of Belief Here are the lectures Dr. Barrett mentioned:What makes cultural innovations attractive? and From AI to social media. Upcoming Online Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, and the Holy Ghost⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠" is an open-online course exploring the dynamic, often overlooked third person of the Trinity. Based on Grace Ji-Sun Kim's groundbreaking work on the Holy Spirit (pneumatology), this class takes participants on a journey through biblical foundations, historical developments, diverse cultural perspectives, and practical applications of Spirit theology. Moving beyond traditional Western theological frameworks, we'll explore feminist interpretations, global perspectives, and innovative approaches to understanding the Spirit in today's world. Whether you've felt the Spirit was missing from your faith journey or are simply curious to deepen your understanding, this class creates space for thoughtful discussion, personal reflection, and spiritual growth. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠As always, this class is donation-based, including 0. To get class info and sign up, head over here. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _____________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 45 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Today's episode of the CBL Podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Lewis Richerson, Lead Pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church, to discuss the state of the SBC heading into the annual meeting, issues with the ERLC, the need for financial transparency, and also theological clarity through the law amendment.   Show Notes: https://centerforbaptistleadership.org/cbl-at-sbc/   Pastor Lewis came to Woodlawn in May 2012. He previously served at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in various capacities from 2005-2012 where he also received his Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages (M.Div.) and Doctorate of Philosophy in Preaching (Ph.D.) degrees. Lewis began his pastoral ministry in 1999, while a senior in high school, as an interim pastor in rural Rapides Parish, Louisiana. That experience, along with his other ministry experiences (he served churches in Louisiana and Texas) have given him a passion for people and the Word of God. In addition to leading in the local church, Pastor Lewis has been instrumental in launching a ministry in India that includes an accredited Bible college and seminary, church planting efforts all over India, an orphan ministry, and pastor training.    Learn more about Lewis Richerson's work: https://www.wbcbr.org/contributor/lewis-richerson https://twitter.com/LewisRicherson   ––––––   Follow Center for Baptist Leadership across Social Media: X / Twitter – https://twitter.com/BaptistLeaders Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/people/Center-For-Baptist-Leadership/61556762144277/ Rumble – https://rumble.com/c/c-6157089 YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@CenterforBaptistLeadership Website – https://centerforbaptistleadership.org/   To book William for media appearances or speaking engagements, please contact him at media@centerfor­baptistleadership.org.   Follow Us on Twitter: William Wolfe - https://twitter.com/William_E_Wolfe Richard Henry - https://twitter.com/RThenry83   Renew the SBC from within and defend the SBC from those who seek its destruction, donate today: https://centerforbaptistleadership.org/donate/   The Center for Baptist Leadership Podcast is powered by American Reformer, recorded remotely in the United States by William Wolfe, and edited by Jared Cummings.   Subscribe to the Center for Baptist Leadership Podcast: Distribute our RSS Feed – https://centerforbaptistleadership.podbean.com/ Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/center-for-baptist-leadership/id1743074575 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0npXohTYKWYmWLsHkalF9t Amazon Music // Audible – https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9ababbdd-6c6b-4ab9-b21a-eed951e1e67b BoomPlay – https://www.boomplaymusic.com/podcasts/96624 TuneIn – Coming Soon iHeartRadio – https://iheart.com/podcast/170321203 Listen Notes – https://lnns.co/2Br0hw7p5R4 Pandora – Coming Soon PlayerFM – https://player.fm/series/3570081 Podchaser – https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-center-for-baptist-leaders-5696654 YouTube Podcasts – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFMvfuzJKMICA7wi3CXvQxdNtA_lqDFV

This episode of 15:14 is a rebroadcast of the interview Curtis did in 2017 with Kim Kira. It is the next in our Global Summit Speaker Series. Kim Kira is the primary teaching Elder at Lighthouse Community Church in Torrance, California. Lighthouse has a unique ministry because it is comprised of a predominantly multi-Asian congregation. Pastor Kira shares the blessings and challenges that face a church of this kind. He gives practical insights into counseling persons of various Asian cultures. We also learn about what the Lord is doing in the biblical counseling movement in Japan. Kim will be one of the speakers at the 2025 BCC Global Summit. Be sure to sign up today if you haven't already!   FROM OUR SPONSOR:  To learn more about an undergraduate degree in biblical counseling, go to BoyceCollege.com/1514. For more information on the Biblical Counseling and Master of Divinity degree in 60 months go to BoyceCollege.com/five.   ONE WORD ONE WORLD CONFERENCE 2025: To learn more and register for the One Word One World Conference presented by the Biblical Counseling Coalition go to: bccglobalsummit.org.   Support 15:14 – A Podcast of the Biblical Counseling Coalition today at biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/donate.  

At the heart of the Liturgy of the Eucharist is the epiclesis, when the priest begs the Holy Spirit to come and transform the bread and wine into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. The Catechism explains this mysterious reality, and Fr. Mike reiterates that the Mass is not a repetition of Christ's once-and-for-all sacrifice, but a re-presentation and celebration of his eternal sacrifice on the Cross. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1104-1112. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Show Notes:We hear a lot about the rapid decline in church attendance across the country, but there are many churches who are experiencing growth. So what, exactly, are these churches doing to attract new members? Matt Miofisky has a few ideas.Matt is the founder of The Gathering, a multi-site United Methodist congregation in St. Louis, Missouri. As the founder and leader of a consistently growing urban church and the co-author of Eight Virtues of Rapidly Growing Churches, Matt is more than qualified for today's conversation.Matt is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, where he majored in mathematics before earning his Master's of Divinity at Emory University. He founded The Gathering in 2006, which was recently named the third fastest growing large United Methodist church in the US.Resources:Learn more about The Gathering hereBuy Eight Virtues of Rapidly Growing Churches hereBuy The Methodist Book of Daily Prayer hereBuy Matt's other books hereListen to The F Word, Matt's podcast on Spotify or Apple PodcastsFollow Matt on Instagram or Facebook

SUPPORT MY WORK:SUBSTACK: https://dersh.substack.com/The Dershow staring Alan Dershowitz* APPLE PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dershow/id1531775772SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Cx3Okc9mMNWtQyKJZoqVO?si=1164392dd4144a99_________________________________________________________FOLLOW ME:TWITTER: https://twitter.com/AlanDershRUMBLE: https://rumble.com/user/Sav_saysLOCALS: https://dershow.locals.com/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheDershowWithAlanDershowitz________Youtube: @thedershowwithalendershowitz