Episode 6: Tree hugging, Seminary and the Socially Anxious

Walking in Spirit: Finding Thin Places in the Everyday (Episode #9)

In this episode, we explore what it means to step out of the frantic rush of daily life and anchor ourselves in the present moment. We dive into the profound practice of constant, minute-by-minute awareness - treating our routine tasks not as distractions, but as living invitations to connect with the universal spirit. From the simple physical surrender of our daily actions to the realization that the divine is closer than we think, this episode is an invitation to slow down, breathe, and find the sacred in the ordinary. Resources & Deep Credit to the Creative Souls Who Inspired This Episode: Frank Laubach (The Game with Minutes): A massive thank you to the revolutionary spiritual practice of Frank Laubach. His lifelong experiment of turning his mind to the creator for just one second out of every minute completely reshaped how we view mindfulness today. Gift for Listeners: You can explore his original, life-changing practice for free! Access the online PDF of The Game with Minutes by Frank Laubach and start your own gentle experiment today. https://levaire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/The-Game-with-Minutes-Frank-Laubach.pdf Joyce Rupp: We extend our deepest gratitude to Joyce Rupp for her profound written wisdom on intentional living and spiritual grounding. Her books beautifully guide us on how to nurture the soul through the natural rhythms of life. Thomas Merton: We reflect on the timeless and contemplative words of the great monk and writer Thomas Merton. His beautiful quotes remind us that the divine spirit is not a distant concept, but a presence wrapped into the very fabric of our immediate reality. Eric Weiner (The Concept of "Thin Places"): Special appreciation to author Eric Weiner for his brilliant insights into how certain spaces and moments across the globe become "thin places"—moments where the distance between the physical world and the divine spirit completely fades away, allowing us to perceive the sacred all around us. Connect with the Journey If this episode brought a sense of stillness to your day, please consider subscribing, leaving a warm review, or sharing it with another soul who might need a moment to pause and breathe today. Join our written community on Substack: If you want to dive deeper into these reflections, view our companion photography, and join a gentle community of like-minded souls, subscribe to our publication: The Grounded Soul on Substack https://open.substack.com/pub/thegroundedsoul Enjoying the podcast? Help keep this sacred space blooming by supporting the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thegroundedsoul

Roots of Compassion: Cultivating Loving Kindness

In this episode, we return to a recording from 2025—a gentle Loving Kindness (Metta) meditation. At its heart, this practice is about widening our circle of compassion, starting with ourselves and extending outward to the world around us.  Whether you are seeking a moment of stillness in a busy day or looking to cultivate more empathy for those around you, this guided session offers a simple path toward presence and peace. In this episode, you’ll find: A guided meditation focusing on self-compassion, neutral neighbors, and global healing. Deepen the Practice: For a transcript of this meditation and a deeper dive into how nature and mindfulness intersect, join our community at: https://open.substack.com/pub/thegroundedsoul Additional Resources: If you’d like to read more about the intersection of Loving Kindness and spiritual practice, I recommend this thoughtful resource: https://loyolaspiritualitycenter.org/loving-kindness/

Finding the Quiet Frequency: A Trial in Sacred Listening (Episode #7)

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." — Annie Dillard What happens when we realize our phone is leading our Soul? In this episode, Marcella tells the story of her "wild experiment"—a 100-day journey that started with deleting a favorite app and ended with finding a sacred frequency she didn't know she was missing. If you’ve ever felt "fractured" by the digital glow or noticed your body tightening at the sound of a notification, this conversation is for you. We explore the "Human Experiment" of replacing digital streaks with stillness and how to bring our heart, mind, and body back into sync. In this episode, we discuss: • The Icon Swap: Why Marcella replaced her most addictive app with a meditation tool and what happened 100 days later. • The Science of Soft Fascination: How nature (the "First Bible") physically resets our nervous system and lowers cortisol. • The Integrated Soul: Using the Dallas Willard model to understand why we feel "out of sync" when our attention is divided. • Sacred Listening: Creating the "trustworthy conditions" where your intuition can finally speak. The Grounded Soul Challenge: Ready to find your own quiet frequency? Join our community on Substack to participate in the upcoming 40-Day Lenten "Sacred Listening" Challenge. You’ll get weekly resources, science-backed practices, and a space to reconnect with your own wild and precious life. Join the community and get the Show Notes & Resources here: https://beacons.ai/spirituscreative Let’s Stay Grounded! Featured Quotes: "The soul speaks its truth only under quiet, inviting and trustworthy conditions." — Parker J. Palmer Tags: Spirituality, Mental Health, Nature, Meditation, Christian Living, Self-Awareness, Wellness

Mini-pod: Milestones, Mail & Winter Sun

How do we find harmony when the world feels fractured? In this "Mini-Pod," Rev. Marcella Ciccotelli shares a celebration of community milestones and a practical tool for spiritual regulation during the grey Ohio winter. In this episode: * The Milestone: Celebrating 1,400 downloads and the power of "finding our people." * The Theology: A brief introduction to the Willardian Model—how our Mind, Body, and Soul work together to move toward wholeness. * The Practice: A 60-second "Input Check" to help you pivot from digital noise toward God’s "First Bible" (Creation). Connect & Grow: * Join the Community: For the written guide to "Indoor Forest Bathing" and deeper reflections, subscribe today! * Follow the Journey: Visit beacons.ai/spirituscreative for resources, eco-chaplaincy updates, and links to support this ministry. * Reflection Question: What is one "marker" of God’s goodness/grace you’ve seen this week?

Episode 6: Tree hugging, Seminary and the Socially Anxious

What happens when your "star word" contradicts your fear? In this special Epiphany episode, I’m sharing a story I’ve never told in detail: my first year of seminary, hiding in my car during lunch breaks, and the moment a yellow paper star changed the trajectory of my life. We talk about: * The "J-Term" struggle: Surviving seminary when you feel like an outsider. * The Connection: Why none of us are "qualified" to lead alone. * Tenderness: Reflections on my very first star word from 2019. https://open.substack.com/pub/thegroundedsoul/p/tree-hugging-seminary-and-the-socially?r=17n5on&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true Visit the link above to see the original 2019 worksheet mentioned in this episode and to join our community of clergy and seekers. About the Host: Marcella Ciccotelli is an Eco-Chaplain and Clergy member currently exploring the intersections of grief, nature, and spiritual rest. #StarWords #Epiphany #ClergyWellness #UMC #VulnerableLeadership