Podcast appearances and mentions of paula huston

Join author, teacher, and oblate Paula Huston to discuss forgiveness from a Christian perspective and why forgiveness is essential to life in this world.

A history and insight into the life of a monk and the history of the New Camaldoli Hermitage courtesy author, gardener and mother of four, Paula Huston.LINKSThe Hermits of Big Sur WebsiteThe Books by Paula HustonMusic of Silence: A Sacred Journey through the Hours of the DaySupport the Show._________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! FaceBookInstagramLet us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!

Paula Huston has written a book, The Hermits of the Big Sur, that charts the history of the New Camaldoli Hermitage. A history born amidst Vatican II and World War II with even deeper contemplatives roots back to the 11th century in the mountains of Italy. Paula follows the ragtag set of novices who become the elders of the community, those who wandered to follow other calls, and those hermits who it their life's work to be enfolded by Mystery. Paula Huston is more than author, but oblate of New Camaldoli Hermitage aka a non-monastic member of the community. She shares with us the gifts her contemplative rhythm has brought to her days, the virtues of working an olive press and writer's pen, and gleanings from being in friendship with the monks over these decades. Visit paulahuston.com to keep tabs on her works of beauty. Visit contemplify.com

Mark Hart discusses how being open and prepared for Mass—even in the midst of our busy lives—allows us to fully experience the fruits of the Eucharist and to understand the gift of the Mass.

Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran—coauthors of the bestselling Rebuilt—discuss how the culture of their parish was transformed when they began to focus on Mass as a weekend experience that begins in the parking lot and culminates in the celebration of the liturgy. The two also share how they help families engage in worship.

Ave Maria Press, Ave Explores, Katie Prejean McGrady, The Mass, Fr. Patrick Briscoe, OP, Mark Hart, Fr. Michael White, Tom Corcoran, Fr, Tim Grumbach, Paula Huston, Amber Casey, Fr. Joshua Whitfield, Susan Timoney, Timothy P. O'Malley, Shannon Wimp Schmidt, Deacon Greg Kandra, Emily Stimpson Chapman, Fr. Ajani Gibson Links:Sign Up for Ave Explores: The Mass

During the pandemic, Fr. Tim Grumbach, a priest of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, learned how to say the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, also known at the Latin Mass. He reflects on how saying both the Latin Mass and the Novus Ordo--the Mass most Catholics participate in today--enhanced his appreciation for the liturgy and helped him become a better priest.

Fr. Ajani Gibson, a newly ordained priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, discusses how culture can permeate the liturgy in beautiful ways. He says that when we make space for cultural expression in the Mass we elevate our worship and the body of Christ becomes more united.

Have you ever been distracted by the many sights and sounds at Mass? Shannon Wimp Schmidt, a mother who also has more than a decade of experience in youth and parish ministry, says you can overcome distractions by building holy habits and engaging in contemplative prayer.

Fr. Joshua Whitfield, pastor of St. Rita Catholic Church in Dallas, Texas, provides practical tips for preparing for Mass. He also discusses his conversion from the Anglican Church to Catholicism.

Theologian Timothy P. O'Malley provides an overview of the USCCB's Eucharistic Revival and discusses how the Mass should not only be integral to the life of the parish, but also in our everyday lives.

In this episode, theologian Susan M. Timoney discusses the history and structure of the Mass. She will help you understand why worship at the altar is the most essential form of prayer for believers.

Episode 7With special guest Paula HustonPaula is a National Endowment of the Arts Fellow, author of two novels and eight nonfiction titles including her newest book—‘The Hermits of Big Sur'I want our listeners today to read your new book—The Hermits of Big Sur—I know it is a lot to ask a writer to give the elevator speech about the book—so tell me in a minute or two why you wrote this book—and why someone should pick one up?If you are Christian we are obviously in the Lenten season—40 days in the wilderness—if you do not have a Christian background if you are human (an earthling as one has called us) then you too are probably in the wilderness in one way or another right about now. As Paula says, “time spent in the wilderness can be a catalyst for transformative spiritual experience, and the Big Sur Coast is one of America's last true wildernesses.  For the monks, “the very hardness of the wilderness was reassuring to them.  Worldly people would not follow them there.  They would be free to seek God with  all that was in them.”  Paula, would you talk to us a little more about how you see this transformation playing out in general and through the Big Sur—the New Camaldoli Hermitage? One of the things I am trying to do with the Soul Cafe Podcast is to get conversations of the soul beyond just the church—to make God more accessible so to speak—of course God has no trouble with that—-so sometimes I find myself playing the Devil's Advocate—which ironically may be a term that goes back to 1587—when a role that was created for when someone was nominated in the Catholic Church for either beatification and canonization—-the Devil's Advocate (of course there was a more religious sounding title) was to draw up a list of arguments against the nominee becoming blessed or canonized.  I say all that to point out that we play the devils advocate we are on some long and good ground.So…..do you need to go to an hermitage to experience a transformative wilderness experience?  Do we need places like Big Sur to find the answer to the longing for fuga Mundi, or flight from the world?  Along with Hermits of Big Sur I have been reading books by Scott Stillman—one in particular entitlled WILDERNESS—The Gateway to the Soul.  Stillman makes a pretty compelling case that we need to get out into any wilderness we can find—“through all the noise and the madness, how could we have possibly heard what the Earth is so patiently trying to tell us?  Now something as natural as silence has become increasingly rare.  Wilderness is our only hope.  The one place we can always come back to.”So…do we need the Big Sur—-or do we need just to get out into any wilderness and be still—-or do we need both?And all that kind of leads to your comment in the book—“transformation is no small thing and also fairly rare—-at the hermitage, miraculous transformation sometimes occurs in individual monks after decades of contemplative practice and the communal bonds formed through the practice of the ‘privilege of love'.  You do not become a contemplative overnight.  In fact to become holy and full of wisdom in this way requires years of slow, painful un-selfing.”Can you talk a little about this process at the Big Sur?That should about do it for questions.Get outside and experience the wilderness as Della Mae sings ‘For the Sake of My Heart'The Soul Cafe…where life is served-up freshly brewed.

As always the Soul Cafe Podcast begins as we reflect with Della Mae's song about how we might all be in need of a Rude Awakening or just any old awakening will do.So who do you ask to be a guest on the Soul Cafe Podcast when you and your wife are celebrating your 40th Wedding Anniversary? Invite wife Jill to join you of course and invite None other than author of the intriguing book…How to be Married…Jo Piazza. Jo is also author of some great fiction…Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win…co author with Lucy Sykes of Fitness Junkie and the Knockoff….and her newest fiction co author with Christine Pride…the great work entitled..We Are Not Like Them. Throw in a couple Nonfiction books…If Nuns Ruled the world: Ten Sisters on a Mission and Celebrity, Inc.: How Famous People Make Money….and of course near to my heart as a Podcaster..her acclaimed Podcast…Under the Influence and Committed….are we lucky and honored today to have Jo Piazza…welcome Jo Piazza to the Soul Cafe.jopiazza.comNow since this is the Soul Cafe Podcast 40th Wedding Anniversary/Love editionToday we are going to focus primarily on Jo's book…How to be Married. Now How to be..came out in 2017…no doubt a few things have changed with Jo and marriage since then..more on that later. The book starts with a note from the author that tells us…”after many years spent wandering the world for both work and pleasure, I well know that you can't witness the truth of any country or culture in a single visit , or even in many. I'm a traveler and a journalist, not an anthropologist, psychologist, or historian “…..my words….she just wanted to know…how to be married. Jo also says upfront that her goal in writing How to be Married is to start a dialogue about partnership, sex, love, marriage, fidelity, monogamy, polygamy, money, power, equality, kids, men and women, and how all these things fit together in a world that's changing faster than most of us ever thought possible”…Oh my……..So Jo…What did you learn in 5 minutes or less…what still applies?Ok…now on to my favorite chapter that my wife and laughed hard for at least a day after reading…chapter 4..Maine…Were a Team? No way better I suppose to learn about How to be Married than heading up to Sunday River, Maine for The Wife Carrying Championship……..please tell is a little about what was learned that day at Sunday River."?.and of course she will be telling it from the perspective of the one being carried…..Tell it JoSo…this is the Soul Cafe…where life is served up freshly brewed….and you are talking to some guy who went to Divinity school or seminary or cemetery as some call it….I could not help but notice that in addition to degrees in economics and journalism you also have one in religious studies…..Now what was that about?So, I promised that we would come back to the obvious question…well obvious coming from someone who has been married for 40 years…and coming from someone that very often starts the day with those words from Thomas Merton..”My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me….”It has been 7 plus years since writing..How to be Married…..what still applies…and what now seems like fools talk?So…Jo this has been amazing….thanks so much for taking the risk to talk with us today….I will send you the link to this episode soon…..please post on all your social media and help out a person who after 40 is still learning and growing.Peace. (You can mute and exit)This love—this relationship we are talking encompass so much more than even marriage—as Author and Activist Valerie Kaur says:Love is more than a rush of feeling. Love is sweet labor: fierce, bloody, imperfect, and life giving—a choice we make again and again. Love is not any one emotion. love is All our emotions: Joy is the gift of love. Grief is the price of love. Anger is what we harness to protect that which we love.Revolutionary Love is the choice to labor for others, for opponents, and for ourselves—to transform the world around us, and within us.”I am a lucky man…to have shared life and love with my best friend for 40 years…been blessed with 3 of the coolest children anywhere and 2 super cool grandchildren and a dog named River…and of course to be able to interview such a person as Jo Piazza…get all of her books soon. jopiazza.comNext month on the Soul Cafe Podcast I will be having somewhat of a wilderness/Lenten theme…with a National Endowment of the Arts Fellow and author of many books….Paula Huston..focusing in on her brand new book..The Hermits of Big Sur…so be ready for some wilderness conversation.And in April…drum roll..I will be taking with Jo Piazza's co author Christine Pride about their brand new book..WE ARE NOT LIKE THEM.And that book reminds of the depth of love—we are talking even more than marital love—as Desmond Tuta said, “our maturity will be judged by how well we are able to agree to disagree and yet continue to love one another, to care for one another, and cherish one another and seek the greater good of the other”Remember…the table is huge….all are welcome at the Soul Cafe where life is served-up freshly brewed.Wrap upToday since it is a special 40th anniversary love episode I will leave you with a super love song with the permission of Drew and Ellie Holcomb…..(Drew Holcomb and NEIGHBORS)“It's in the wine we drink, dirty dishes in the kitchen sink, and the lights go out till the sun comes up; we are not alone. It's in the miles we drive, never having to say goodbye to the things we tell each other without saying a word.You are the one thing that I know.”Thanks for joining us to today at the Soul Cafe.

Our guest Paula Huston tells the history of a monastery on the California coast, and the role that both Thomas Merton and World War II played in its founding Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Born and raised in a staunch Norwegian Lutheran family. Paula’s journey led her away from the Lutheran faith and into a long period of spiritual disengagement. A change meeting introduced her to a community of Camaldolese Benedictine monks and the beauty of the Catholic Church was opened up to her. The gentleness and devotion of these holy monks paved the way for her to become a Camaldolese Benedictine Oblate – a decision she not only hasn’t regretted, but whole-heartedly embraces.

“Paula Huston wrote literary fiction for more than twenty years before shifting her focus to spirituality. She is the author of the critically acclaimed novel Daughters of Song (Random House, 1995), which the Baltimore Sun called “far and away the best book yet” about life in the classical piano world at Peabody Conservatory. Nominated for the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco’s Gold Medal for Best First Novel, it was also chosen by the Christian Science Monitor for its first “Novelist’s Debut” review and selected by the Music Book Society and Performing Arts Book Club. Her short stories have appeared in numerous literary quarterlies, including American Short Fiction, North American Review, Missouri Review, Massachusetts Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, Story, MSS, and Image, and were twice selected for the Best American Short Stories list.” I had the pleasure of interviewing Huston for over an hour about her new book A Season of Mystery: 10 Spiritual Practices for Embracing a Happier Second Half of Life (Loyola Press, 2012). We discussed the importance of purpose vs. the never-ending search for happiness, the importance of spiritual practices for deepening into the second half of life, and what monastics have to teach us about living a fulfilling life. Huston’s words are filled with gratitude and hope. You’ll fund Huston’s honesty and humility to be very touching and very inspiring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Paula Huston wrote literary fiction for more than twenty years before shifting her focus to spirituality. She is the author of the critically acclaimed novel Daughters of Song (Random House, 1995), which the Baltimore Sun called “far and away the best book yet” about life in the classical piano world at Peabody Conservatory. Nominated for the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco’s Gold Medal for Best First Novel, it was also chosen by the Christian Science Monitor for its first “Novelist’s Debut” review and selected by the Music Book Society and Performing Arts Book Club. Her short stories have appeared in numerous literary quarterlies, including American Short Fiction, North American Review, Missouri Review, Massachusetts Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, Story, MSS, and Image, and were twice selected for the Best American Short Stories list.” I had the pleasure of interviewing Huston for over an hour about her new book A Season of Mystery: 10 Spiritual Practices for Embracing a Happier Second Half of Life (Loyola Press, 2012). We discussed the importance of purpose vs. the never-ending search for happiness, the importance of spiritual practices for deepening into the second half of life, and what monastics have to teach us about living a fulfilling life. Huston’s words are filled with gratitude and hope. You’ll fund Huston’s honesty and humility to be very touching and very inspiring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Paula Huston wrote literary fiction for more than twenty years before shifting her focus to spirituality. She is the author of the critically acclaimed novel Daughters of Song (Random House, 1995), which the Baltimore Sun called “far and away the best book yet” about life in the classical piano world at Peabody Conservatory. Nominated for the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco’s Gold Medal for Best First Novel, it was also chosen by the Christian Science Monitor for its first “Novelist’s Debut” review and selected by the Music Book Society and Performing Arts Book Club. Her short stories have appeared in numerous literary quarterlies, including American Short Fiction, North American Review, Missouri Review, Massachusetts Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, Story, MSS, and Image, and were twice selected for the Best American Short Stories list.” I had the pleasure of interviewing Huston for over an hour about her new book A Season of Mystery: 10 Spiritual Practices for Embracing a Happier Second Half of Life (Loyola Press, 2012). We discussed the importance of purpose vs. the never-ending search for happiness, the importance of spiritual practices for deepening into the second half of life, and what monastics have to teach us about living a fulfilling life. Huston’s words are filled with gratitude and hope. You’ll fund Huston’s honesty and humility to be very touching and very inspiring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Paula Huston wrote literary fiction for more than twenty years before shifting her focus to spirituality. She is the author of the critically acclaimed novel Daughters of Song (Random House, 1995), which the Baltimore Sun called “far and away the best book yet” about life in the classical piano world at Peabody Conservatory. Nominated for the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco’s Gold Medal for Best First Novel, it was also chosen by the Christian Science Monitor for its first “Novelist’s Debut” review and selected by the Music Book Society and Performing Arts Book Club. Her short stories have appeared in numerous literary quarterlies, including American Short Fiction, North American Review, Missouri Review, Massachusetts Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, Story, MSS, and Image, and were twice selected for the Best American Short Stories list.” I had the pleasure of interviewing Huston for over an hour about her new book A Season of Mystery: 10 Spiritual Practices for Embracing a Happier Second Half of Life (Loyola Press, 2012). We discussed the importance of purpose vs. the never-ending search for happiness, the importance of spiritual practices for deepening into the second half of life, and what monastics have to teach us about living a fulfilling life. Huston’s words are filled with gratitude and hope. You’ll fund Huston’s honesty and humility to be very touching and very inspiring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paula Huston has been an Oblate of New Camaldoli Hermitage since 1999, after encountering the monastery during a period of acute spiritual crisis and having her life’s direction turned in an entirely new direction. She is the author of The Holy Way: Practices for a Simple Life, By Way of Grace: Moving From Faithfulness to […]