Episodes

  • Dr. Andrea Adams on Hopecology

    Dr. Andrea Adams on Hopecology
    Apr 22 2026
    Conservation ecologist and writer Dr. Andrea Adams joins us on the pod today! We chat about nature, spirituality, finding new pathways as life shifts in unexpected ways, and hope that's rooted in action during these uncertain times. Andrea brings depth, honesty, and reminders of nature's reciprocity and endless invitations in our conversation and through her lovely Substack Hopecology.

    Show notes:
    • Dr. Andrea Adams Website
    • Hopecology
    • Christ the Yogi: A Hindu Reflection on the Gospel of John
    • How Dark the Beginning by Maggie Smith
    Key Topics
    • The role of hope in ecological and personal resilience
    • The intersection of science, spirituality, and indigenous knowledge
    • Transformative experiences and personal growth after trauma
    • The importance of doubt and humility in scientific practice
    • Practical actions for hope and care in ecology
    Chapters
    00:00 The Dark and the Light: A Poetic Introduction
    02:47 Introducing Dr. Andrea Adams: A Journey of Hope and Ecology
    06:43 The Birth of Hopecology: From Trauma to Transformation
    10:25 Spirituality and Personal Evolution: A Complex Relationship
    18:37 Finding Hope Amidst Environmental Collapse
    24:19 Transformation Through Adversity: Embracing the Roar
    34:54 Embracing Your Strange Path
    36:00 Navigating the Edges of Comfort
    38:39 The Nature of Science and Intellectual Humility
    46:28 Reciprocity Between Science and Spirituality
    54:10 Hope as Action in Ecology
    01:01:32 Learning from Nature: Biomimicry and Reciprocity
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Cheers to 100 Episodes of Staying Rooted!

    Cheers to 100 Episodes of Staying Rooted!
    Apr 15 2026
    Today is Radical Sacred’s 100th Episode! Hard to believe we’ve spent 100 hours conversing with artists, theologians, poets, authors, naturalists and more over the past 2.5 years. Each conversation has been a joy and has served as an invitation to a deeper knowing of self and the world around us. Friend of the pod Melissa Fritchle who is a Holistic Psychotherapist and Spiritual Counselor, a Wild guide with Center for Wild Spirituality and co-founder of Intimate with the Moon and Soil and the author of The Conscious Sexual Self Workbook and the substack Soul Entwined with Earth, interviews us about all the lovely inner workings of Radical Sacred. We loved talking with her about intimacy, our hopes, our roots, and more in this special episode. Thank you for listening to us, for journeying with us, and for your support! There is no Radical Sacred without our community of listeners and friends and we are grateful for you!


    Show Notes
    • Radical Sacred Substack
    • Radical Sacred Website
    • Radical Sacred on Youtube
    • Melissa Fritchle’s Website
    • Melissa’s Substack - Soul Entwined with Earth
    • Intimate with the Moon and Soil - Melissa’s new venture!
    • On Friendship by Khalil Gibran
    Key Topics
    • The origin of the podcast and its focus on deep, rooted conversations
    • The importance of vulnerability and authenticity in spiritual spaces
    • The role of nature and interconnectedness in personal growth



    Chapters
    00:00 The Essence of Friendship
    02:31 Celebrating 100 Episodes
    05:36 The Journey of Radical Sacred
    13:03 The Dynamics of Friendship
    17:02 Vulnerability in Conversations
    30:47 Transformative Beliefs and Worldviews
    35:12 The Journey of Transformation
    35:59 Attention and Intention in Pilgrimage
    37:34 Memorable Conversations and Surprising Insights
    39:07 The Impact of Connections and Community
    40:59 Navigating Change and Personal Growth
    42:44 The Role of Community in Times of Crisis
    44:18 Interconnectedness and Collective Hope
    47:34 Radical Sacred: Embracing Change
    53:19 Looking Ahead: Future Conversations and Themes
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Liberative Ecology with Holy Wisdom Monastery

    Liberative Ecology with Holy Wisdom Monastery
    Apr 8 2026
    Today we are blessed to chat with Sister Lynne Smith, Amy Alstad, Everline Jeruto, and Mary David Walgenbach of Holy Wisdom Monastery of Madison, Wisconsin. Holy Wisdom is an Ecumenical Benedictine Community that is known for their land restoration, love of the earth, and love of all people. We chat about restoration of land, reciprocity in the natural world, deep connections, and welcoming humans and the more than human world as if they were Christ. We were so inspired by the work of Holy Wisdom and know you will be too!


    Show Notes:
    • Holy Wisdom Monastery
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Midday Prayer Stream
    • Regal Fritillary Butterfly
    • How Would You Live Then by: Mary Oliver
    Key Topics
    • Ecumenical Benedictine community
    • Land restoration and prairie planting
    • Ecological listening and biomimicry
    • Community, justice, and hospitality
    • Renewable energy and net zero goals



    Chapters
    01:00 The Beauty of Nature and Reflection
    02:01 Introduction to Holy Wisdom Monastery
    05:25 The Heartbeat of Holy Wisdom Monastery
    13:04 Listening to the Land
    19:09 Towards a Sustainable Future
    21:02 Funding and Community Engagement
    22:51 Welcoming All: A Benedictine Approach
    26:19 Restoration and Ecological Hospitality
    33:05 Modeling Community and Reciprocity
    40:39 Cultural Exchange and Learning
    43:40 Finding Joy in Nature
    47:58 Retreats: A Space for Reflection
    51:28 Hopes for the Future
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Rev. Dr. Shively Smith on the Wisdom of Howard Thurman

    Rev. Dr. Shively Smith on the Wisdom of Howard Thurman
    Apr 1 2026
    Rev. Dr. Shively Smith joins us on the pod today! Shively is a professor, author, speaker, lover of water, mom, and avid gamer who visits with us about Howard Thurman, the new testament, guides, ancestors, listening to the small voice within and much more. Join us as we learn to navigate all that is before us and walk that strange path that leads us to our truest selves.


    Show Notes:
    • Fisk University
    • Howard Thurman - Meditations of the Heart
    • Greg Ellison - Anchors in the Spirit and Fearless Dialogues
    • Howard Thurman - With Head and Heart
    • Renita J. Weems - Just a Sister Away: A Womanist Vision of Women’s Relationships in the Bible
    • Shively Smith - Strangers to Family: Diaspora and 1 Peter’s Invention of God’s Household
    • Union Combined Parish - Boston, MA
    • Shively Smith - Reading Howard Thurman: His Practice of Interpretation Through Womanist Eyes
    • Imagesofinterpreation.com
    • shivelysmith.com
    Key Topics
    • Water as a spiritual practice and source of clarity
    • Howard Thurman's influence on faith and justice
    • The role of biblical interpretation in social justice
    • The significance of the unnamed in biblical stories
    • Courage and openness in encountering guides and strangers
    Chapters
    00:00 The Power of Grief and Nature's Call
    03:01 Introducing Shively Smith: Scholar and Gamer
    08:11 The Significance of Water in Spirituality
    11:37 Howard Thurman: A Personal Connection
    15:14 Thurman's Integration of Inner and Outer Life
    19:42 The Journey of a Biblical Scholar
    25:48 The Role of Mentorship and Ancestral Guidance
    32:12 Courage in Divided Times
    34:22 The Journey to New Testament Scholarship
    38:52 Engaging with First Peter
    41:48 Interpreting Biblical Texts Through a Modern Lens
    48:15 From Mercy to Justice
    55:04 The Art of Interpretation and Awakening
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Moving in the World with the Intention to Love with David Dault

    Moving in the World with the Intention to Love with David Dault
    Mar 25 2026
    Today we are joined by David Dault as we dive into his new book The Accessorized Bible. David is an author, professor at Loyola University, award-winning screenwriter, media producer, consultant, podcaster and radio host. We chat about his book which includes beautiful passages on James Baldwin, loving with intention, bringing our own moral lens to the bible, and more! This is a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation. We are grateful for David and his invitation to look more in depth: at our own souls, at the ways we interpret the bible, and at the ways we connect to others.


    Show Notes:
    • Substack - David Dault is writing things
    • The Accessorized Bible
    • The Francis Effect Podcast
    • Things Not Seen: Conversations About Culture and Faith
    • David at Loyola University
    • Karl Rahner banana essay - Theology of Freedom
    • The Good Place
    • Hannah Arendt - On Violence
    • An Octopus has Three Whole Hearts by: Joy Sullivan

    Key Topics
    • The metaphor of the Bible as an accessory versus a rulebook
    • The importance of moral seriousness and slow reflection
    • The concept of takun olam (repairing the world)
    • The role of love and responsiveness in faith and relationships
    • The impact of technology on empathy and storytelling



    Chapters
    01:00 The Heart of an Octopus: A Poetic Introduction
    02:01 David Dalt: A Multifaceted Journey
    03:00 The Evolution of a Career: From Music to Academia
    05:59 Things Not Seen: Conversations on Culture and Faith
    10:44 Navigating Faith in a Polarized World
    14:45 The Bible: A Tool for Good or Evil?
    20:10 The Accessorized Bible: Purpose and Timing
    26:17 Moral Seriousness: Slowing Down to Reflect
    30:52 Technology and Its Ethical Implications
    32:02 Exploring Technology and Power Dynamics
    34:32 The Role of Narrative in Repairing the World
    37:43 The Impact of Technology on Empathy
    38:56 Transcending Technique in Art and Life
    43:22 The Bible: A Source of Questions and Insights
    47:14 Influences and Ancestry in Thought
    51:49 Catastrophic Love and Institutional Challenges
    59:30 The Intention to Love in Relationships
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Jim Keat on the Intimacy of Online Connections

    Jim Keat on the Intimacy of Online Connections
    Mar 18 2026
    Rev. Jim Keat of The Riverside Church joins us this week to talk about creating intimate spaces and reciprocal relationships online. Jim is a runner, digital creator and pastor who views the internet as a vast opportunity for connection, care, and transformation. This conversation is a lovely reminder of the power of community on site or online.

    Show Notes:
    • Riverside Church
    • jimkeat.com
    • The Convergence Network
    • @revjimruns
    • Bible in a Minute
    • Jim’s Substack
    • Imagination by Assata Shakur
    Key Topics
    • Embodiment in digital spaces
    • Creating intimacy online
    • Navigating online critique and negativity
    • Ethics of technology in faith communities
    • Building reciprocal relationships in digital spaces
    Chapters
    00:00 The Power of Belief and Affirmation
    02:32 Introducing Jim Keat: Digital Ministry Innovator
    04:05 Navigating Digital Spaces in Ministry
    05:42 Redefining Digital vs. Physical Experiences
    10:12 Creating Intimate Online Spaces for Ministry
    12:03 Fostering Connection in Digital Gatherings
    15:12 Mindfulness and Running: A Personal Journey
    18:05 Nature's Lessons for Digital Engagement
    20:07 Noticing the Present: A Mindful Approach
    24:03 Inhabiting Spaces: The Contrast of City and Small Town
    26:28 Navigating Progressive Faith in Small Towns
    30:03 Creating a Liberative Church Experience
    31:33 Handling Online Critiques and Community Engagement
    35:07 The Role of Technology in Building Relationships
    38:33 Experiencing Reciprocity in Digital Spaces
    43:17 Ethics of Technology and Digital Ministry
    49:12 Addressing Global Issues and Personal Heartbreak
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • Christine Tracy on Just Trust Life: A Journey with Teilhard de Chardin

    Christine Tracy on Just Trust Life: A Journey with Teilhard de Chardin
    Mar 11 2026
    We had the loveliest of conversations with writer, journalist, and rhetorician, Christine Tracy on her new book Just Trust Life: A Journey with Teilhard de Chardin. Her book and our conversation are about Teilhard, but are both also deeply rooted in how he became a guide and a north star for Christine as she goes on a transcendent journey to find her truest self. What can we learn by letting go of fear and shame and learning to just trust life? We hope Teilhard and Christine inspire you to look within, to trust self, and to transcend. All you need is already within you.

    Show Notes:
    • Christine's Website
    • Just Trust Life: A Journey with Teilhard de Chardin by: Christine Tracy
    • Teilhard Project Scholars
    • The Newsphere by: Christine Tracy
    • Summer by Frank Weston Benson
    • Emergency Family Assistance Association in Boulder
    • Wilding by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

    Questions to consider:
    1. How can embracing your inner wildness lead to a more authentic and fulfilling life? Reflect on moments when you felt most connected to your truest self and consider how you can incorporate more of these experiences into your daily life.
    2. In what ways can pain serve as a catalyst for personal growth and spiritual awakening?
    3. How does practicing love as a cosmic energy influence your interactions with others and the world around you?
    Practices to try:
    1. Dedicate time each week to engage with nature or activities that allow you to express your primal energy. This could be through hiking, dancing, or simply spending time withnature.
    2. When experiencing emotional or physical pain, take a moment to journal or meditate on what this pain is teaching you about your true nature. Use this practice to transform suffering into a lesson of resilience and love.
    3. Incorporate intentional acts of love into your daily routine. This could be as simple as smiling at a stranger, expressing gratitude, or sending positive energy to someone in need.



    Chapters
    00:00 Embracing the Wilderness Within
    02:51 The Journey with Teilhard
    06:40 Finding Authenticity and Being Seen
    12:21 Transcendence and Inner Connection
    18:01 The Noosphere and Collective Evolution
    23:38 Pain as a Teacher and Personal Power
    26:54 The Power of Presence and Love
    27:38 Art as a Catalyst for Connection
    30:19 Exploring the Energy of Love
    33:28 Reconnecting with the Self
    36:40 The Role of Ancestors in Our Journey
    39:23 Embracing Challenges and Enemies
    42:35 Envisioning a Better World
    50:32 Nature's Healing Influence
    52:56 The Wisdom of Trees and Water Blessings
    57:12 NEWCHAPTER
    Show More Show Less
    58 mins
  • The Quest for Shalom: A Conversation with Lisa Sharon Harper

    The Quest for Shalom: A Conversation with Lisa Sharon Harper
    Mar 4 2026
    We are thrilled to speak with Lisa Sharon Harper, founder of Freedom Road, podcaster, public theologian, author, including the books Fortune: How Race Broke My Family And The World—And How To Repair It All, and The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can be Made Right. In this wide ranging conversation Lisa shares with us her wisdom and her witness as we talk about the crises we face in our country and in the church and the hopes that can be found in knowing our history, love, community, and connection.

    Show Notes:
    • Freedom Road
    • The Truth Is - Lisa’s Substack
    • Fortune: How Race Broke My Family and The World-And How to Repair It All
    • The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can Be Made Right
    • bell hooks
    • Toni Morrison - Beloved

    Chapters
    00:00 The Essence of Identity and Respect
    01:55 Introducing Lisa Sharon Harper
    02:52 Journey Towards Shalom
    05:51 Understanding Shalom: More Than Just Peace
    19:30 Shalom Between Genders: A Deeper Exploration
    26:07 The Hebrew Concept of Perfection vs. Western Understanding
    35:59 The Practice of Love in Society
    39:42 Self-Love as a Foundation for Justice
    43:25 The Power of Love vs. Anger
    47:17 Decolonizing Faith and Ecclesiology
    59:27 Building Communities of Faith
    01:05:33 A Call to Action for Faith Leaders
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 10 mins