When the Earth Becomes Spiritual Director

The Land Knows Me: Eco-Spiritual Direction with Deb Metzger

What if the land you live on actually knows you? In this episode, we visit with Deb Metzger, an eco-spiritual companion, farmer, and retired Lutheran minister who has lived her whole life within two miles of the Ohio farmland that raised her. Deb shares stories of a nuthatch that helped her grieve, wildlife holding vigil at her father’s death, and a vow made kneeling beside a murdered coyote. Together we explore what it means to let nature be more than a backdrop to behold rather than watch, to find God with “fur and talons and scales and wings,” and to stay tender-hearted on a hurting planet. If you’ve ever sensed something holy on a walk in the woods and wondered if you were crazy, this conversation is your permission slip to be open and take it in. Links: Deb Metzger [https://www.wildspirituality.earth/post/deb-metzger-seminary-of-the-wild-earth-guide] SoulStream.org [https://www.soulstream.org/] The last SoulStream Living from the Heart podcast on SubStack: When the Earth Becomes Spiritual Director [https://soulstream926.substack.com/p/when-the-earth-becomes-spiritual] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit soulstream926.substack.com [https://soulstream926.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

When the Earth Becomes Spiritual Director

In this episode of Living from the Heart, we speak with Victoria Loorz, MDiv, wild church pastor, eco-spiritual director, and cofounder of the Center for Wild Spirituality. Victoria is the founder of the first Church of the Wild in Ojai, California, and author of Church of the Wild. After twenty years serving in indoor churches, she began helping people rediscover spiritual community with the land, creatures, and the “more-than-human world.” Our conversation explores eco-spiritual direction, a way of companioning people that includes not only the person and the presence of God but also the “more-than-human” world. Victoria shares stories of birds, fish, dreams, land, and wild places becoming part of the sacred conversation. Victoria reminds us that living from the heart is not separate from the earth. It is a way of being fully present to God, to ourselves, to one another, and to the living world around us. Links: Victoria Loorz [https://www.victorialoorz.com/] Center for Wild Spirituality [https://www.wildspirituality.earth/] Victoria’s Books [https://www.victorialoorz.com/books] SoulStream.org [https://www.soulstream.org/] The last SoulStream Living from the Heart podcast on SubStack: The Making of Modern Spiritual Direction with Paul Burgmayer [https://soulstream926.substack.com/p/the-making-of-modern-spiritual-direction] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit soulstream926.substack.com [https://soulstream926.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Making of Modern Spiritual Direction with Paul Burgmayer

Welcome to the SoulStream Living from the Heart podcast, a space where we slow down, listen deeply, and explore the sacred invitations woven through ordinary life. Today, we’re joined by Paul Burgmayer, a spiritual director, supervisor, musician, former scientist and educator, and the author of the new book, The Making of Modern Spiritual Direction [https://historyofsd.com/book], which is available now. In this conversation, Paul brings a thoughtful and grounded perspective to the practice of spiritual direction, including its history, its evolving shape, and the ways it invites us to pay attention to the movement of God in our lives. Together, we explore the relationship between thinking and feeling, the gift of deep listening, the wisdom found in contemplative practice, and the importance of finding our own authentic voice on the spiritual journey. Whether you are a spiritual director, a seeker, or simply someone longing for a more attentive and wholehearted way of living, we hope this conversation offers companionship, insight, and an invitation to listen more deeply. Links: Paul Burgmayer [https://historyofsd.com/] SoulStream.org [https://www.soulstream.org/] The last SoulStream Living from the Heart podcast on SubStack: Living from the Heart with Brent Unrau and Cherie Tetz [https://soulstream926.substack.com/p/living-from-the-heart-with-brent] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit soulstream926.substack.com [https://soulstream926.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Living from the Heart: Celebrating 50 Conversations

Welcome to SoulStream Living from the Heart, a space where we slow down, listen deeply, and explore what it means to live with authenticity, compassion, and connection. Today’s episode feels a little special. This is our 50th episode, and it’s a chance to pause, to give thanks, and to reflect on the many stories, voices, and shared moments that have brought us here. SoulStream is a contemplative community rooted in love, presence, and discernment. We believe transformation happens through honest connection with ourselves, with others, and with God, and that transformation unfolds gently when we learn to listen well. In this episode, we are joined by Cat Anderson, Board Chair of SoulStream, and John Lunn, Executive Director. Together, we will explore the heart of this community and the journey that continues to shape it. Links: SoulStream.org [https://www.soulstream.org/] The last SoulStream Living from the Heart podcast on SubStack: Resting in the Mystery: Suhail Stephen on Spiritual Direction, Contemplative Listening, and the Love of God [https://soulstream926.substack.com/p/resting-in-the-mystery-suhail-stephen] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit soulstream926.substack.com [https://soulstream926.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Living from the Heart with Brent Unrau and Cherie Tetz

Welcome to the SoulStream Living from the Heart podcast, a space where we slow down, listen deeply, and explore what it means to live with greater authenticity, compassion, and connection. Today, we’re joined by two wonderful guides on this journey, Brent Unrau and Cherie Tetz. Both are longtime facilitators with SoulStream’s Living from the Heart program, and they bring years of experience in spiritual direction and contemplative practice. In this conversation, they share not only their wisdom but also their personal stories of transformation and the courage to live more deeply from the heart. Links: The Living from the Heart Program [https://www.soulstream.org/living-from-the-heart-program/] SoulStream.org [https://www.soulstream.org/] The last SoulStream Living from the Heart podcast on SubStack: Living from the Heart: Celebrating 50 Conversations [https://soulstream926.substack.com/p/living-from-the-heart-celebrating] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit soulstream926.substack.com [https://soulstream926.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]