Noel Listening Fun

Needs Liberating Faith

In this episode, we dive into Rowena’s personal and thoroughly non-linear spiritual journey. Raised in a behaviorally conservative Presbyterian household, Rowena shares her evolution from experiencing guilt and family rejection to finding a home in San Francisco through the dance community, nature, and pagan rituals. Eventually she makes her way back to a progressive Presbyterian church, balancing her spiritual practices with a liberated, tactile relationship with the divine. A few highlights: * Rejecting rigid dogma: Rowena discusses her struggle with the “Thou Shalt" nature of her childhood church, the concept of original sin (especially after having her own children), and the systemic sidelining of women in the Bible. * The San Francisco transition: After moving to San Francisco, getting divorced, and distancing herself from family judgment, Rowena explored goddess-centered rituals, tarot cards, astrology, and community healing movements on Mount Tamalpais. * Embodied spirituality: As a dancer and movement practitioner, Rowena explains why sitting still in a pew felt unnatural. She details how she feels closest to God through physical expression, deep breathing, and touch — whether holding her newborn babies, witnessing traditions of touching religious art, or practicing "passing the peace" in church. * Finding a progressive home at Old First: Led by the relatable and social-justice-minded Pastor Maggi Henderson, Rowena describes finding a welcoming, diverse Presbyterian community in San Francisco that aligns with her values — even as she remains conflicted about officially joining due to traditional vows. If you enjoyed the episode, please follow the podcast and give us a 5-star rating. It will help others find us. And please drop us a line: noleftfield@gmail.com

Non-Linear Faith

Following last week’s season premiere, where "God came up a lot," Jason and Rowena take a step back to provide some critical context behind their spiritual foundations. Digging into an archival discussion originally recorded seven months prior, Jason shares his evolution from childhood to finding an aspirational role model in Jesus and the Episcopalian tradition. Later, Jason and Rowena reflect on the current timeline (May 29, 2026), discussing Jason’s professional setbacks that feel like a "clogged barf tunnel," and how hitting absolute rock bottom in the past has opened the doors to unexpected professional abundance. A few highlights: * The "Barf Tunnel" of Life: Rowena and Jason unpack this vivid metaphor for the deeply unpleasant, messy, and painful life experiences that are tough to go through but inevitably bear fruit on the other side. * The Anti-Jesus Armor: Growing up as an agnostic scientists’ kid in a conservative Montana town, Jason felt excluded by zealously religious peers, nurturing a deeply anti-Christian stance until an epiphany in Beijing decades later forced a radical reassessment. * Professional Challenges and Spiritual Desperation: Jason recounts past times when professional challenges have left him feeling desperate for God’s help. * The Waiting Game: Back in the present, Jason opens up about the suffocating weight of feeling thwarted in doing the work he’s meant to do, and how spirituality is helping him through. If you enjoyed the episode, please follow the podcast and give us a 5-star rating. It will help others find us. And please drop us a line: noleftfield@gmail.com

New Life Frames

Welcome to Season 2 of No Left Field! A few months after our Season 1 finale, Rowena and Jason are back. Moving through the "muck" of recent challenges, Rowena celebrates her partner Ed being cancer-free following a major surgery, while Jason navigates the emotional roller coaster of a grueling full-time job search. We explore the pitfalls of "future tripping," the art of care partnering, and what it means to "hug the midline" and find presence amid uncertainty. Key Takeaways: * Hugging the Midline: Learning to gather our energy and regroup when life spins out of balance. * The Power of Presence: Overcoming anticipatory grief and job search rejection by staying anchored in the current moment. * Community as an Anchor: Why listening to the people who love us most is the ultimate tool for resilience. If you enjoyed the episode, please follow the podcast and give us a 5-star rating. It will help others find us. And please drop us a line: noleftfield@gmail.com

Navigating Lengthy Feats

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the nitty gritty of enduring long journeys, both literal and figurative: ultramarathons, outsourcing our brains, and care-partnering. If you enjoyed the episode, please follow the podcast and give us a 5-star rating. It will help others find us. And please drop us a line: noleftfield@gmail.com

Noodling Lovebomb Friction

In this episode…what on earth is lovebombing? Why does it matter where a story begins? And how is it that a bird in the hand really is worth two in the bush? If you enjoyed the episode, please follow the podcast and give us a 5-star rating. It will help others find us. And please drop us a line: noleftfield@gmail.com