Everything is a Story with Kaitlin Curtice

Mary Fontana on Strangers in the Province of Joy

In this timely episode we visit with the author of Strangers in the Province of Joy: Practicing Radical Hospitality at the US-Mexico Border, Mary Fontana. While in college Mary began a 20+ year relationship with Annunciation House in El Paso which houses and provides care for migrants. This book is all about the important work of Annunciation House, its surprising and tender beginnings, and about the root causes that lead to people leaving their home countries. We talk about liberation theology, the United States complicity in the instability in Central America, and what we can all do to better love our neighbor as ourselves.   Show Notes: * Strangers in the Province of Joy: Practicing Radical Hospitality at the US-Mexico Border  [https://orbisbooks.com/products/strangers-in-the-province-of-joy-practicing-radical-hospitality-on-the-us-mexico-border?_pos=1&_sid=237d24e53&_ss=r] * Mary Fontana’s Website  [https://maryfontana.com/] * Annunciation House  [https://annunciationhouse.org/] * A Prayer of Shelter and Shadow by Pádraig ó Tuama [https://www.joycewycoff.com/2020/04/poetry-month-19-daily-prayer-with.html] Key Topics: * The origins and history of Annunciation House * The concept of radical hospitality and its importance * Root causes of migration including US foreign policy and climate change * The role of personal relationships and presence in service work * The intersection of faith, justice, and activism in immigration * The ongoing legal challenges faced by organizations like Annunciation House * The importance of education and awareness in changing perceptions * The spiritual and contemplative practices that sustain service work Chapters 00:30 A Prayer for Shelter and Community 02:35 Introducing Mary Fontana and Her Work 05:15 The Role of Annunciation House 10:02 Understanding Borders: Geographic and Internal 13:08 Migration as an Earth Right 17:52 Root Causes of Migration 22:07 Climate Change and Migration 26:51 The Politics of Immigration and Othering 31:39 Emergency Response and Human Connection 34:17 The Founders' Wisdom and Open-Heartedness 38:55 The Role of Contemplation in Service 43:56 Balancing Presence and Productivity 48:49 Justice and Mercy in Hospitality 52:10 Spreading Awareness Through Storytelling 54:15 Radical Hospitality Defined 58:57 Facing Political Challenges with Resilience

Encountering Henri Nouwen with Stephen Lazarus

We enjoyed this fabulous conversation with Stephen Lazarus! Stephen is the Literary Manager for the Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust and the editor of Encountering Henri: The Living Legacy of Henri Nouwen. We visit about how earnestly and honestly Henri Nouwen lived his life and how impactful and invitational his way of being was. We invite you to live fully and in the spirit of Henri today and everyday! “It is by being awake to God in us that we can increasingly see God in the world around us.”  Show Notes * Encountering Henri: The Living Legacy of Henri Nouwen  * Cardus NexGen program * Henry Nouwen Legacy Trust * Comment Magazine [https://comment.org/] * Robert and Margaret Jonas - Reviving Creation [https://revivingcreation.org/] Substack * Check out Jenny's weekly reflection on the episode on our Substack [https://radicalsacred.substack.com/p/its-not-the-weight-you-carry-but]. Key Topics * Henry Nowen's impact on spiritual life * The concept of woundedness and healing * Divine invitations and unexpected encounters * Henry Nowen's influence on peacemaking and justice * The importance of authentic identity in faith Chapters 00:30 The Poetic Introduction to Love 02:38 Introducing Stephen Lazarus and His Journey 04:37 Encountering Henry Nowen: A Personal Connection 08:06 Who Was Henry Nowen? 10:04 The Humanity of Henry Nowen 16:00 Divine Invitations Through Henry's Work 20:47 The Communion of Saints and Connection to Ancestors 24:13 Contemplating Memories of Henry 28:47 Surprising Stories from the Book 30:37 Embracing Our Imperfections 34:25 Awakening to the Divine 34:59 The Meandering Path to Home 39:21 Engaging with the Common Good 43:55 Wounded vs. Broken: A Theological Perspective 49:03 Finding Identity in a Polarized World

Paldrom Collins on Girl in a Box

We had a lovely conversation with the author of Girl in a Box, Paldrom Collins! Paldrom’s memoir walks us through her early days as a young woman who is seeking her own path in Oklahoma to her time in a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in New York. Paldrom’s path is winding, full of wisdom, compassion, and the most surprising twists and turns. We enjoyed this insightful and honest chat about following yearning and trusting self.  Show Notes: * Only Breath by Rumi [https://allpoetry.com/Only-Breath] * paldrom.com [http://paldrom.com]  * Girl in a Box by: Paldrom Collins  [https://paldrom.com/] * How the Worst Day of My Life Became the Best by: Andrea Gibson  [https://poets.org/poem/how-worst-day-my-life-became-best] Takeaways * Following your inner knowing can lead to unexpected paths and growth * Ritual and repetition serve as somatic practices that deepen spiritual awareness * Non-dualism emphasizes interconnectedness beyond dualistic thinking * Reciprocity is rooted in the natural interconnectedness of all life * Embracing resistance and difficulty can hone spiritual resilience Chapters 00:30 Transforming Pain into Art 02:36 The Journey of Becoming Findable 03:34 The Call to Write: A Spiritual Journey 06:59 Exploring Spiritual Backgrounds 09:23 The Meandering Path of Spirituality 12:46 Rituals and Repetition in Spiritual Practice 18:04 Interfaith Dialogues: Buddhism and Christianity 22:02 The Quest for Acceptance and Worthiness 26:11 Understanding Tibetan Buddhism's Teachings 30:34 Navigating Dualism and Non-Dualism 32:40 Reciprocity in Spiritual Journeys 34:39 The Knowing Beyond Knowing 37:23 Embracing the Unknown 42:22 Yearning and Creativity 45:12 Responding to Suffering in the World 47:31 The Ongoing Story of Life 51:04 Finding Shelter in Each Other's Stories

Day Schildkret on Morning Altars and the Importance of Ritual

This week our minds are blown and our hearts are expanded by Day Schildkret, author, artist and teacher behind the Morning Altars movement, who inspires tens of thousands of people to make life more beautiful and meaningful through ritual, nature and art. Day talks to us about ritual, meaning making, presence, beauty, remembering, curiosity and more in this gorgeous conversation. Show Notes:  * Morning Altars [https://www.morningaltars.com/] * Day’s Books and Art [https://www.morningaltars.com/shop] * Teacher Training  [https://www.morningaltars.com/teachertraining24?utm_source=morningaltars.com&utm_medium=navbar] * Day’s Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/morningaltars/]  * Grief Ritual Series [https://www.morningaltars.com/workshops] Key Topics * The origin story of Morning Altars and its healing modality * The role of thresholds and thresholds in personal transformation * The importance of meaning making and ritual in everyday life * Reciprocity and the back-and-forth of giving and receiving * The relationship between vulnerability, nature, and ritual Chapters 00:30 The Power of Ritual and Nature 01:44 Thresholds and Transitions in Life 10:32 Meaning Making Through Creativity 14:46 Rituals: Boundaries and Simplicity 18:21 Cultural Challenges to Rituals 22:12 Personal Journey with Rituals 23:48 Exploring Sacred Ground and Relationships 27:56 The Concept of Reciprocity in Rituals 32:35 Vulnerability and Connection with Nature 36:45 Grief and the Role of Ritual 41:30 Grief as an Invitation to Transformation 44:51 Creating Alternative Spaces in a Capitalist World

Erica Smith on the Purity Culture Recovery Guide

Erica Smith, Sex Educator and author of the Purity Culture Recovery Guide joins us today on the pod! Erica’s invitational and open hearted writing explores the harms of Purity Culture and gives pathways to healing for those of us raised in it. Erica is a wealth of shame free sex information and this book is a must read for all people seeking a healthy, open hearted relationship to their bodies and their sexuality.  Show Notes: * The Purity Culture Recovery Guide by Erica Smith [https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/purity-culture-recovery-guide-9798881801304/] * Linda Kay Klein Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free [https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Linda-Kay-Klein/545494983] * Netflix Documentary - Trust Me: The False Prophet [https://www.netflix.com/title/81758532] * Purityculturedropout.com [http://purityculturedropout.com] * Erica’s Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ericasmith.educates/] Key Topics * Impact of Purity Culture on Sexuality * Healing from Religious Shame * Sexual Rights and Autonomy * Creating Safe Spaces for Healing * Men's Group and Vulnerability Chapters 00:10 The Power of Love Poetry 02:45 Introducing Erica Smith: A Journey into Sex Education 04:30 From Casual Christianity to Sex Education 10:38 Understanding Purity Culture: A Deep Dive 13:00 The Impact of Purity Culture on Relationships 17:02 The Broader Effects of Purity Culture 20:52 Healing from Shame: The Purity Culture Dropout Program 27:24 Creating a Safe Space for Conversations 27:52 The Birth of the Purity Culture Recovery Guide 30:18 Responses to the Book: A Positive Reception 33:01 The Sexual Bill of Rights: Empowering Individuals 33:05 Understanding Sexual Rights and Respect 35:41 The Importance of Men's Groups 39:33 Exploring Vulnerability in Masculinity 43:41 Forgiveness and Healing in Masculinity 47:24 Inviting Others Out of Purity Culture 51:00 The Benefits of Healthy Sexuality