Steve's List for Summer 2023: Nature and the Care of the Soul with Belden Lane, Part 2

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SHOW NOTES

FROM STEVE: I consider Belden Lane to Be among the most important voices in the 21st century. For the next two weeks listen deeply to his wisdom and insight. I relish in his books and find him to be among the most authentic voices I've ever heard!

Special Guest Belden C. Lane

Belden and his dog Joey

Belden C. Lane is a Presbyterian theologian who teaches on a Jesuit faculty at Saint Louis University. His interests include the relationship between geography and faith, wilderness backpacking in the Ozarks, the magic of storytelling, desert spirituality, exposing students to urban poverty through the Catholic Worker community, and the poetry of Rumi. He also works with men, helping to lead initiation rites through Richard Rohr's program for Men as Learners and Elders in Albuquerque.

He lives with his wife Patricia, a spiritual director and retired school teacher, in Saint Louis. Drawn to sacred places around the world, his travels have involved camping in Egypt, Ireland and the Virgin Islands; hiking in Greece, Hawaii, and Australia; and study in England, Israel and Mexico. For six years I served in the pastorate, from a village parish in western New York State to the historic First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. Some time ago he found himself delightfully introduced as a Presbyterian minister teaching at a Roman Catholic university telling Jewish stories at the Vedanta Society.

• More about Belden

Belden’s Books:

• The Solace of Fierce Landscapes: Exploring Desert and Mountain Spirituality

• Ravished by Beauty: The Surprising Legacy of Reformed Spirituality

• Backpacking with the Saints: Wilderness Hiking as Spiritual Practice

• The Great Conversation: Nature and the Care of the Soul

Mentioned in podcast

• Apophatic and Cataphatic Tradition

• Walter Brueggemann on Psalms of Disorientation

• Richard Rohr’s Center for Action and Contemplation

• Illuman - Richard Rohr Ministry for Men

• Paula D’Arcy - Red Bird Foundation

• Paula D’Arcy’s book The Gift of the Red Bird

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Steve's List for Summer 2023: Nature and the Care of the Soul with Belden Lane, Part 1

Subscribe to the Podcast and receive email notification when new episodes are released

Or subscribe on your favorite podcast player:

SHOW NOTES

FROM STEVE: I consider Belden Lane to Be among the most important voices in the 21st century. For the next two weeks listen deeply to his wisdom and insight. I relish in his books and find him to be among the most authentic voices I've ever heard!

Special Guest Belden C. Lane

Belden and his dog Joey

Belden C. Lane is a Presbyterian theologian who teaches on a Jesuit faculty at Saint Louis University. His interests include the relationship between geography and faith, wilderness backpacking in the Ozarks, the magic of storytelling, desert spirituality, exposing students to urban poverty through the Catholic Worker community, and the poetry of Rumi. He also works with men, helping to lead initiation rites through Richard Rohr's program for Men as Learners and Elders in Albuquerque.

He lives with his wife Patricia, a spiritual director and retired school teacher, in Saint Louis. Drawn to sacred places around the world, his travels have involved camping in Egypt, Ireland and the Virgin Islands; hiking in Greece, Hawaii, and Australia; and study in England, Israel and Mexico. For six years I served in the pastorate, from a village parish in western New York State to the historic First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. Some time ago he found himself delightfully introduced as a Presbyterian minister teaching at a Roman Catholic university telling Jewish stories at the Vedanta Society.

More about Belden

Belden’s Books:

• The Solace of Fierce Landscapes: Exploring Desert and Mountain Spirituality

• Ravished by Beauty: The Surprising Legacy of Reformed Spirituality

• Backpacking with the Saints: Wilderness Hiking as Spiritual Practice

• The Great Conversation: Nature and the Care of the Soul

Mentioned in podcast

• Richard Rohr quote “from disorder to reorder to new order” - from his book The Wisdom Pattern: Order, Disorder, Reorder.

• Thomas Berry book on the Great Conversation - Befriending the Earth: A Theology of Reconciliation Between Humans and the Earth

• SNEAK PEAK: 30 Days with the Potter Devotional reading - Foundational Love of God (Text)

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 100 - Perplexity/Complexity to Harmony with Brian McLaren - Part 2

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“ I can either pretend and say things I don't really believe so that I'll fit in or I will be honest, even knowing that that's going to create some difficulties for me.” - Brian McLaren

SHOW NOTES

We're in the midst of a conversation with Steve and Brian McLaren, talking about the four beautiful heart stages and phases that all of us go through in life.

This episode is our 100th! And to celebrate we will have a giveaway of Steve’s NEW book “30 Days with the Potter.” Head on over to our Potter’s Inn Facebook page and look for a post celebrating our 100th episode - it will be up later today!

You are the reason we do this podcast, and we are so grateful you have been here, with us, for this soul care journey.

Special Guest Brian McLaren

Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is a faculty member of The Living School and podcaster with Learning How to See, which are part of the Center for Action and Contemplation. He is also an Auburn Senior Fellow and is a co-host of Southern Lights. His newest book is Faith After Doubt, and his next release, Do I Stay Christian? (May 2022) can be preordered now.

Brian is married to Grace, and they have four adult children and five grandchildren. His personal interests include wildlife and ecology, fly fishing and kayaking, music and songwriting, and literature.

Brian McLaren’s Website

Mentioned in podcast

• Faith After Doubt by Brian McLaren

• Moment to Breathe — An Approach to God: Losing my Religion by Rev. Dr. Doug Gay

  • Text

• The Four Stages of Faith Development that Brian described:

  1. Simplicity (Stage of Dualism) — You’re either for us or against us.  It’s all or nothing.

  2. Complexity — There’s more than one way to do things. Learning to think for yourself.

  3. Perplexity — Everyone has an opinion.  Who knows who is right?

  4. Harmony/Humility — Seek first God’s Kingdom; love God, love neighbors; unity.

MUSIC USED IN PODCAST

• First Music Break at 15:41 - Artist: Christian Andersen | Title: Big Passion | courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

• Second Music Break at 35:05 – Artist: Johannes Bornlof | Title: Godsend | courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 99 - Faith After Doubt with Brian McLaren - Part 1

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And so a big part of my life has been helping people find a way to stay Christian when the forms of Christianity they grew up with feel like a really badly fitting suit of clothes. -Brian McLaren

SHOW NOTES

Steve had an incredible conversation with author, pastor, theologian, and activist Brian McLaren and today is Part 1! Brian’s story resonates with so many of us who feel lost, confused, and in tension about all that is happening in the world and in our hearts.

This podcast will help you feel not so alone - we found Brian incredibly humble, honest, and wise. There's so much truth here - dive in and please, talk to us below in the comments. We would love to hear what you thought about today’s conversation.

Special Guest Brian McLaren

Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is a faculty member of The Living School and podcaster with Learning How to See, which are part of the Center for Action and Contemplation. He is also an Auburn Senior Fellow and is a co-host of Southern Lights. His newest book is Faith After Doubt, and his next release, Do I Stay Christian? (May 2022) can be preordered now.

Brian is married to Grace, and they have four adult children and five grandchildren. His personal interests include wildlife and ecology, fly fishing and kayaking, music and songwriting, and literature.

Brian McLaren’s Website

Mentioned in podcast

• Faith After Doubt by Brian McLaren

• The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill

• Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard

• A Prayer for Enemies by Nikolaj Velimirović

• Moment to Breathe Music - from Psalms from Scotland: Psalm 139, set to the tune Highland Cathedral.

• The First 2 Stages of Faith Development that Brian described:

  1. Simplicity (Stage of Dualism)— You’re either for us or against us.  It’s all or nothing.

  2. Complexity — There’s more than one way to do things. Learning to think for yourself.

  (Stages 3 and 4 will be discussed next week in Part 2)

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 96 - Nature and the Care of the Soul with Belden Lane, Part 2

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This season is all about Complex Conversations and how these conversations can help us buffet the fierce winds that are blowing in our lives.

SHOW NOTES

We are continuing the conversation with Steve and Belden Lane today.

Belden and Steve discuss why lament is absolutely necessary for each of us, and how lament is the way out of our national meltdown, our constant state of living on the edge in a frazzled world.

It is stunning, sobering, and powerfully hope filled - don’t miss this conversation!

Special Guest Belden C. Lane

Belden and his dog Joey

Belden C. Lane is a Presbyterian theologian who teaches on a Jesuit faculty at Saint Louis University. His interests include the relationship between geography and faith, wilderness backpacking in the Ozarks, the magic of storytelling, desert spirituality, exposing students to urban poverty through the Catholic Worker community, and the poetry of Rumi. He also works with men, helping to lead initiation rites through Richard Rohr's program for Men as Learners and Elders in Albuquerque.

He lives with his wife Patricia, a spiritual director and retired school teacher, in Saint Louis. Drawn to sacred places around the world, his travels have involved camping in Egypt, Ireland and the Virgin Islands; hiking in Greece, Hawaii, and Australia; and study in England, Israel and Mexico. For six years I served in the pastorate, from a village parish in western New York State to the historic First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. Some time ago he found himself delightfully introduced as a Presbyterian minister teaching at a Roman Catholic university telling Jewish stories at the Vedanta Society.

More about Belden

Belden’s Books:

• The Solace of Fierce Landscapes: Exploring Desert and Mountain Spirituality

• Ravished by Beauty: The Surprising Legacy of Reformed Spirituality

• Backpacking with the Saints: Wilderness Hiking as Spiritual Practice

• The Great Conversation: Nature and the Care of the Soul

Mentioned in podcast

• Apophatic and Cataphatic Tradition

• Walter Brueggemann on Psalms of Disorientation

• Richard Rohr’s Center for Action and Contemplation

• Illuman - Richard Rohr Ministry for Men

• Paula D’Arcy - Red Bird Foundation

• Paula D’Arcy’s book The Gift of the Red Bird

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 95 - Nature and the Care of the Soul with Belden Lane, Part 1

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Or subscribe on your favorite podcast player:

This season is all about Complex Conversations and how these conversations can help us buffet the fierce winds that are blowing in our lives.

SHOW NOTES

Warning: this podcast is not for the faint of heart!

It is not for those who attend church and equate that with the pilgrimage of the 4th century, when those who did not want to be swallowed by culture fled to the desert to not survive, but thrive!

It might undo you as it has undone me.

I talk with Belden Lane about the difference in being a spiritual pilgrim and a spiritual tourist. A tourist is one who sees enough to take a photo proving that they had been there. A pilgrim is one who pays the price of entering the wilderness, only to find themselves and God.

We speak of the dangers of social media where soul care is watered down by selling things, being merely consumers of the spiritual life rather than embracing wilderness. Emptying our self to live empty, broken, and void of ego. We spoke of “the greening of our faith.” Honoring nature as a portal to God the Creator.

It was like sitting with a prophet who was speaking out about the church, who has lost its soul.

Join us in today's conversation!

Special Guest Belden C. Lane

Belden and his dog Joey

Belden C. Lane is a Presbyterian theologian who teaches on a Jesuit faculty at Saint Louis University. His interests include the relationship between geography and faith, wilderness backpacking in the Ozarks, the magic of storytelling, desert spirituality, exposing students to urban poverty through the Catholic Worker community, and the poetry of Rumi. He also works with men, helping to lead initiation rites through Richard Rohr's program for Men as Learners and Elders in Albuquerque.

He lives with his wife Patricia, a spiritual director and retired school teacher, in Saint Louis. Drawn to sacred places around the world, his travels have involved camping in Egypt, Ireland and the Virgin Islands; hiking in Greece, Hawaii, and Australia; and study in England, Israel and Mexico. For six years I served in the pastorate, from a village parish in western New York State to the historic First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. Some time ago he found himself delightfully introduced as a Presbyterian minister teaching at a Roman Catholic university telling Jewish stories at the Vedanta Society.

More about Belden

Belden’s Books:

• The Solace of Fierce Landscapes: Exploring Desert and Mountain Spirituality

• Ravished by Beauty: The Surprising Legacy of Reformed Spirituality

• Backpacking with the Saints: Wilderness Hiking as Spiritual Practice

• The Great Conversation: Nature and the Care of the Soul

Mentioned in podcast

• Richard Rohr quote “from disorder to reorder to new order” - from his book The Wisdom Pattern: Order, Disorder, Reorder.

• Thomas Berry book on the Great Conversation - Befriending the Earth: A Theology of Reconciliation Between Humans and the Earth

• SNEAK PEAK: 30 Days with the Potter Devotional reading - Foundational Love of God (Text)

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 94 - The Evangelical Diaspora: Getting out of our Boxes! Part 2

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This season is all about Complex Conversations and how these conversations can help us buffet the fierce winds that are blowing in our lives.

SHOW NOTES

We have Part 2 of The Evangelical Diaspora: Getting Out of our Boxes for you today. And honestly, it’s even deeper than Part 1.

NOTE: We highly recommend you listen to Part 1 first (FIND IT HERE) and then come back to hear the rest of the story in Part 2.

Part 2 continues with Greg and Steve, where Greg shares his story of change and breaking out of boxes that don't fit and beliefs that simply did not work for him any more.

Can you identify? 

This conversation just might become a road map for you to take some steps to deconstruct some boxes--which may be different from Greg's boxes or Steve's boxes but will help you to find the language and love to join in the process of deconstructing boxes you may be finding.

The pandemic, politics, racial stress, and economic challenge have all required new ways of thinking for all of us. No one gets a pass on not feeling like "something is not right...something is not working any more."  We hope this particular podcast will give you something to think about, something to argue with, and some much needed HOPE… plus some courage to take some steps that await you for a new beginning.

Special Guest Greg Farrand

Greg Farrand is the Executive Director at Second Breath Center, a Servant leadership school that focuses on moving beyond mere intellectual understanding of God, faith, and love to actually experiencing them with mind, heart, and body.

Greg attended Reformed Theological Seminary and worked in several unique ministry settings, including as a missionary in Uganda, and in campus ministry. Greg also served as founder and lead pastor of Spring Garden Community Church and as co-director of Selah Spiritual Formation, a nonprofit committed to facilitating spiritual direction and retreats.

Greg spent most of his early life living in Japan and Taiwan. He now lives in Greensboro, NC with his wife Beth, who works as a spiritual director. They have three grown sons. In his free time, Greg enjoys hiking and being in nature.

Mentioned in podcast

• Dallas Willard

• City of God by St. Augustine

• Richard Rohr

• The Five Solas (includes Sola Scripture mentioned in podcast)

• Last Chapter of the Book of Romans

• More of Greg’s Story - My Journey from a Conservative Presbyterian to a Progressive Episcopal Priest

• Second Breath Center

• 30 Days With The Potter Devotional (SNEAK PEAK) - The Place of Becoming (Text only)

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 93 - The Evangelical Diaspora: Getting out of our Boxes! Part 1

Subscribe to the Podcast and receive email notification when new episodes are released

Or subscribe on your favorite podcast player:

This season is all about Complex Conversations and how these conversations can help us buffet the fierce winds that are blowing in our lives.

SHOW NOTES

The Evangelical Diaspora: Getting Out of our Boxes is a raw, honest, and lively discussion between Steve and Greg Ferrand. It is a conversation where Greg shares his story of change and breaking out of boxes that don't fit and beliefs that simply did not work for him any more.

Can you identify?

There are few show notes. But listen well and listen often as this conversation just might become a road map for you to take some steps to deconstruct some boxes--which may be different from Greg's boxes or Steve's boxes but will help you to find the language and love to join in the process of deconstructing boxes you may be finding.

The Pandemic, politics, racial stress, and economic challenge have all required new ways of thinking for all of us. No one gets a pass on not feeling like "something is not right...something is not working any more."  We hope this particular podcast will give you something to think about, something to argue with, and some courage to take some steps that await you for a new beginning.

Special Guest Greg Farrand

Greg Farrand is the Executive Director at Second Breath Center, a Servant leadership school that focuses on moving beyond mere intellectual understanding of God, faith, and love to actually experiencing them with mind, heart, and body.

Greg attended Reformed Theological Seminary and worked in several unique ministry settings, including as a missionary in Uganda, and in campus ministry. Greg also served as founder and lead pastor of Spring Garden Community Church and as co-director of Selah Spiritual Formation, a nonprofit committed to facilitating spiritual direction and retreats.

Greg spent most of his early life living in Japan and Taiwan. He now lives in Greensboro, NC with his wife Beth, who works as a spiritual director. They have three grown sons. In his free time, Greg enjoys hiking and being in nature.

Mentioned in podcast

• More of Greg’s Story - My Journey from a Conservative Presbyterian to a Progressive Episcopal Priest

• Second Breath Center

• 30 Days With The Potter Devotional SNEAK PEAK - The Messy Art of Being Transformed (TEXT from reading in podcast)

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 92 - Where Soul Meets World

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SHOW NOTES

Welcome to our sixth season of the Soul Care Conversations Podcast! Steve is anchoring the season with a thoughtful discussion on our theme of Complex Conversations – and how these conversations can help us buffet the fierce winds that are blowing in our lives. It’s all in learning to live with our soul and mind, while trying to find, with each other, foundational places where we can anchor ourselves. It’s a great discussion and introduction to what this season will be about.

Also included is a reading from our new devotional, 365 Days with the Potter, which will be launching this fall with our new Potter’s Inn App!

Mentioned in podcast

• Book - Faith After Doubt: Why Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What to Do About It by Brian McLaren

• Book - Backpacking with the Saints by Belden Lane

• Poem read in podcast - The Landscape is my Innerscape by Stephen W. Smith

• SNEAK PEAK: 30 Days with the Potter Devotional reading - Foundational Love of God

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!