Radical Sacred

This week we are joined by poet Rosemary Wahtola Trommer as she shares her journey of writing poetry daily, the role of nature in her work, and how grief has shaped her understanding of beauty and vulnerability. We discuss the integration of personal loss with the creative process, the importance of collaboration, and the power of poetry to express the inexpressible. Rosemary emphasizes the significance of being present in the moment and how poetry serves as a bridge to connect with our emotions and the world around us. Phil also makes his (tear filled) poetry debut.

Show Notes
Rosemerry's Website
Rosemerry's Substack
Rosemerry's Albums: Dark Praise and Risking Love
Ritual App
evermore.org 

Chapters
00:00 The Power of Poetry and Vulnerability
04:05 The Journey of Daily Writing
13:06 Nature as Inspiration
16:41 Integrating Beauty and Reality
20:56 Celebrating Women Artists
28:04 Collaboration and Creativity
33:58 Finding Comfort in Poetry
36:40 The Transformative Nature of Loss
36:43 Embracing Grief as a Teacher
44:58 The Intersection of Grief and Praise
51:01 The Power of Poetry in Grief
58:35 The Role of Art and Nature in Healing
01:03:25 Sharing and Celebrating Creative Expressions
01:06:58 NEWCHAPTER

We had a truly life giving conversation with Dr. Liza Rankow on her book Soul Medicine for a Fractured World: Healing, Justice, and the Path of Wholeness! Liza’s book is a gorgeous read and speaks on the importance of deep soul healing, both/and thinking, community care,the gifts that can come from our struggles, awe, and having our hearts broken open. We loved this chat and will be thinking about it for a long time to come! 

Show Notes:
Soul Medicine for a Fractured World: Healing, Justice, and the Path of Wholeness
Liza Rankow Website 
Liza’s Substack
Now is the Time by Hafiz 
Chapters
00:00 Invitation to lenten practice
02:37 Introducing Dr. Liza Rankow
04:02 Navigating Wilderness Times
07:38 Understanding Nopantla: The In-Between Space
10:35 The Duality of Tomb and Womb
14:23 Mysticism and Social Activism
20:19 The Gift of Pain and Vulnerability
24:26 Finding Meaning in Suffering
28:41 Rituals of Initiation and Meaning-Making
35:16 Rites of Passage and Cultural Ordeals
37:37 Integrating Trauma and Rituals
39:52 The Power of Awe and Brokenness
45:22 Suffering as a Spiritual Discipline
48:15 The Evolving Relationship with Ancestors
52:51 The Science and Significance of Awe
01:01:18 Prayer Excerpted from A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life

We were so fortunate to talk to David Hayward, known for his work under the moniker the Naked Pastor, in this spacious and honest episode about art, deconstruction, feminine wisdom, nature, and more. David shares with us his spiritual journey that is continually unfolding. His gentle storytelling invited us to look deeply at our spirituality, to not be afraid to live the questions when they come up, and to begin to move towards whatever is stirring within our hearts. There is no wrong way to become your fullest self, and the world deeply needs people who have come alive. This chat opened up some things for us to sit with, we hope it does the same for you. 

Show Notes

The Naked Pastor Website
Naked Pastor on Instagram
The Liberation of Sophia 
Without a Vision my People Prosper-
Till Doubt Do Us Part 
The Lasting Supper - Online Community 
Nadya Tolokonnikova from Pussy Riot Art
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Chapters
00:00 The National Anthem and Its Hidden Truths
02:56 Introducing David Hayward: The Naked Pastor
05:59 The Naked Truth: Spiritual Abuse and Silence
11:39 The Journey of Deconstruction Begins
14:47 Reconstruction: Integrating the Past
19:05 Sophia: The Feminine Wisdom Within
25:56 Masculinity and the Inner Feminine
33:03 Jesus and Feminine Wisdom in the Church
39:19 Navigating Marriage Through Deconstruction
42:51 The Glue of Relationships: Love Beyond Beliefs
45:43 Navigating Deconstruction in Relationships
46:18 Loneliness and Community Rebuilding
49:38 Finding New Connections Outside Faith Communities
51:34 Art as Resistance and Inspiration
56:48 Nature's Role in Inspiration and Connection
01:00:28 The Power of Awe and Love
01:10:27 The Naked Pastor's Journey and Future Directions
01:12:35 NEWCHAPTER

We had a lovely time chatting with Wes Ellis about his book Abiding in Amen: Prayer for a Secular Age! Wes is a pastor, professor, and author who decided to look at prayer through a gentle, nonjudgmental, and playful lens. We chat about abiding in prayer, silence, what resonates deeply within us, and approaching prayer in a hopeful, open hearted way. We hope that this episode gives you the space you need to check out prayer in new and innovative ways! May your prayers flow through you freely, may they reach the depths of your heart and spirit,  and may your prayers lead you to act. 

Show Notes:
Abiding in Amen
Wes Ellis Website 
The Uncontrollability of the World by Hartmut Rosa 
God in Creation by Jurgen Moltmann
Theology of Play by Jurgen Moltmann

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Prayer and Its Significance
05:11 Exploring the Challenges of Prayer in a Secular Age
10:25 Defining Prayer: A Two-Way Communication
13:10 Prayer as Technology: A Cautionary Perspective
18:33 Resonance in Prayer Practices
21:11 The Concept of Disposable Prayer
24:40 The Importance of Play in Spiritual Life
27:09 The Importance of Play and Joy in Troubling Times
27:50 Prayer as Community Action
30:08 Suffering with the World: A New Perspective
33:15 The Role of the Church in Transformation
35:19 Being Ready: The Nature of Prayer
38:27 Everything as Prayer: A New Understanding
44:58 Breath Prayer and the Desert Fathers
51:04 Finding Beauty Amidst Darkness
52:03 Invitation to Simple Prayer
53:48 NEWCHAPTER

We had the loveliest of chats with Seryn founding members Nathan James Allen and Trenton Wheeler! We talk creativity, flow, letting our questions guide us, their beginnings as a band in Denton, TX, their pause from creating music together, the pathway back to one another, and their newest songs. Join us for this winding, interesting, music and hope filled conversation. Fun fact: our new intro and outro music is a gorgeous tune called Beach Song by Seryn. This song means a lot to us and we hope that you enjoy it as well!

Show Notes:
Seryn 
Seryn on Instagram
Youtube
Playing March 21 - Thinline Filmfest - Denton, TX
Transcendental Reunion - Mary Chapin Carpenter
A Chance to Cut is a Chance to Cure - Matmos
App - Bednight Sleep Music
The Birds Wrote Me a Poem by: Andrea Gibson

Chapters
00:00 The Poetic Prelude
04:04 Introducing Seryn: Origins and Name
07:06 The Hiatus: Conflict and Growth
11:40 Reunion and Healing Through Music
19:45 Serendipitous Connections and Band Dynamics
25:30 Nature's Influence on Music
30:45 The Creative Process Behind 'River Song'
32:31 The Significance of 'Beach Song'
43:14 Faith and Doubt in Our Music
55:26 The Importance of Questioning Beliefs
57:00 Artists as Voices of the Oppressed
57:43 Finding Inspiration in Turbulent Times
01:00:24 The Role of Family in Creativity
01:03:31 Navigating Anxiety and Creativity
01:09:50 The Urgency of Time and Connection
01:19:21 NEWCHAPTER