The Grounded Presence: Recent Episodes
The Grounded Presence
A podcast exploring - authentic identity - deeper community - and spiritual evolution. Each episode invites listeners to experience the world through new filters and perspectives. Through the medium of deep conversations and storytelling.
Bart Campolo joins me to talk about building community as a former Christian Pastor turned Humanist Minister. There are no hard feelings toward faith or the church here, just a moving towards something greater and seeking a more meaningful existence.
Check out Bart's Podcast "Humanize Me"
We all engage with myths and experiences in our own different ways and 2020 has been no exception. This week we look at the cultural myth of Santa Clause and explore the wide range of ways people can interact with and experience this myth. A rebroadcast of last years Christmas episode: "Seeing Beyond the Myths."
Joe Burnham joins me to talk about his experience as a funeral officiant and some of the insight he's gleaned from his experiences that can also teach us how to build and maintain strong communities and connections.
Find out more about Joe and his work at
joeburnham.com
Fran Pratt aka "The Litanist" joins me on episode 38 for a conversation about liturgy, litany, and our need for community that engages on a deeper level. Through her work as "The Litanist" she has been modernizing the the traditional practice of ----more----call and response prayer which she does with a great finesse and an open heart and mind. It's hard to describe her work well without experiencing it, but though she makes use of religious language, as a reader I never felt strong armed into any certain way of thinking. Her writing allows a lot of meditative room to breath and seems much more concerned with personal development and rich communal engagement rather than correct doctrinal belief or dogma.
Check out her book "Call and Response" on Amazon
Find out more about Fran and her work here: franpratt.com
Ryan Miller is on a mission. Simply put he's founded a brand of community focused on gathering in a spirit of curiosity rather than dividing over judgement. Ideological diversity is the key ingredient. Denver Brew Theology and its various chapters across the nation gather in pubs each week to discuss challenging topics and open themselves to unfamiliar points of view. As of late all their operations have shifted over to zoom, but in the pre-corona world that existed when we recorded this conversation back in December 2019, the evenings at the pub were very much alive. ----more----
To find out more about Brew theology check out the links below:
Web: http://www.brewtheology.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brewtheology/
We’re always shouting at the external problems... what needs to change in the world and whose to blame for the short comings. But the richest and most meaningful work tends to come from those who have shifted their attention inward and focused on doing their inner work before critiquing the external. Those are the voices we desperately need. Those are the voices we need speaking into our lives and our culture. And on episode 35 I have a few such voices to share with you. Enjoy.
----more----
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
Voicemail Line: 720-744-2587
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
facebook:@thegroundedpresence
There is often a disconnect between Police officers and the communities they serve. Fear, anxiety, and false assumptions all play a role. For the past 4 years Michael Acuña (aka ill se7en, aka Acuña Black) has made it his work to build bridges between officers and their communities and mend the gap divided by a thin blue line.
Learn More about Michael Acuña (ill se7en):
Tedx Talk: "How we build bridges between police officers & youth"
Westword Profile: "Michael Acuña is Transforming Denver Culture"
Facebook: Ill Se7en
Instagram: @illse7en
CONNECT:
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
Voicemail Line: 720-744-2587
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
facebook:@thegroundedpresence
Do you want more from social interactions? Do you long to feel tighter with the world around you? That is exactly what Blake Ross and I are exploring! We’re diving into a series of social experiments aimed at fostering better relationships and engendering a greater sense of community with the people that surround us. And though the experiments might be simple in nature... the results so far have been profound. Join us on episode 33.
----more----
CONNECT:
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
Voicemail Line: 720-744-2587
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
facebook:@thegroundedpresence
Rituals are the back bone of all community. Whether it's a group friends, a religious community, or simply the intimate community of ones home, rituals play a key role. Rusty Gates brings his experience and expertise to the table on episode 32 and shows us that ritual isn't just a convention of religion... it can really be anything we do that brings us closer together. Ritual is that which can make a gathering of people into something so much more than just a mere collection of individuals.
CONNECT:
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
Voicemail Line: 720-744-2587
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
facebook:@thegroundedpresence
Rusty Gates and I had some of the most meaningful experiences of our lives years ago in a small community in Denver, Colorado. In episode 31 we reflect on that season of our lives, what it taught us about community, and what we’ve learned since.------------------
CONNECT:
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
Voicemail Line: 720-744-2587
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
facebook:@thegroundedpresence
Kicking off season 2! Exploring TRUE community.... or maybe the lack there of, in many of our lives. Are you craving community?
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
Voicemail Line: 720-744-2587
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
facebook:@thegroundedpresence
The release of season 2 is near! The first official episode drops next weekend. In the mean time pop in your ear buds and check out the teaser!
Our social interactions have been pared down to the bare minimum… But we are social creatures. We crave community. But Community?…. What does that even look like in our circumstances? I’m at a loss. But there is something special stirring in all of us – a deep longing to be together again.----more----
Episode 29 is the primer to a full blown “Season 1” of the podcast, bearing the series title Craving Community. An exploration into what we long for in community, what it looks like in our lives, and interviews with talented people who, are not only dreaming of being in community but tangibly creating it in the world around them. I’ve gleaned so much from talking to these smart people. I’m looking forward to sharing their wisdom with you.
I don’t know what community looks like on the other side of what we’re going through right now. But I do know this… when a universal Craving for Community is awakened on such a massive scale, it’s fertile ground for something special to emerge.
CONNECT WITH THE GROUNDED PRESENCE:
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
facebook:@thegroundedpresence
Jonathan Bigelow got his first tattoo as he enters his 30's. It was a profound and meaningful experience for him. We sat down and had and talked about tattoo's, initiation rites, archetypes and the search for meaning and depth. The result was a highly enjoyable conversation. ----more----
CONNECT WITH THE GROUNDED PRESENCE:
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
facebook:@thegroundedpresence
Quarantine culture! The way we interact has changed…. rapidly!
Amy Powell and I sat down to chat about it. We talk about everything from the interesting choices in movies that are trending right now, to what we’ve learned by observing reactions to the news of this pandemic. It’s a light hearted observational conversation in the middle of these crazy times we find ourselves in. Enjoy.
It’s Christmas time and tales of Santa Clause, elves and reindeer abound. There are so many ways to celebrate this season. So many traditions. So many ----more----memories, pleasant ones and painful ones. Episode 27 is a big one! Join me as I share a number of different stories centering on theme of Santa Clause and Christmas. Some believed as children, others did not. Most celebrated the holiday though some didn’t. But each account brings it’s own unique stories and perspective to the table. This episode is a ton of fun!
This episode sponsored by Peace Addict Tie Dyes
Check out their Holiday Designs!
Peaceaddictlife.com
Insta:@peaceaddictlife
Facebook: @peaceaddictlife
CONNECT WITH THE GROUNDED PRESENCE:
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
facebook:@thegroundedpresence
Kent Dobson, my guest on episode 25, has a love/hate relationship with the Christian Bible. He was raised in the evangelical tradition, studied and became a biblical scholar, and even held the role of teaching pastor at a mega-church in Michigan. He ventured away from ----more----the tradition but has never been able to shake it completely. In his personal life he keeps returning to the stories of the Bible in some shape or from and it’s led him to the conclusion that maybe the Bible is far more than just a religious text… As Kent states, “The Bible has become part of the collective western psyche.”
Kent Dobson may be a former Christian mega-church pastor, but his relationship with the Christian tradition and faith is not what you would expect. Kent was Rob Bell’s successor as sole teaching pastor at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, MI. After holding the position for 3 years he stepped down from the role – and in addition started stepping away from some of the more traditional Christian ideologies. This has been a big part of his journey over the last 5 years or so, but again he continues to find himself returning to the stories found in the biblical text.
With the stories of the Christian tradition on his brain, earlier this year Kent started as series of podcasts bearing the title “We’ve lost the plot: Recovering The Great Stories.” An intriguing title to say the least. On the first episode of the series he states, “To my own surprise, I keep returning to the Bible, a book that allures and repulses, inspires and confronts.” – the aim of this series and much of his recent work is in recovering the ancient wisdom that can be found in these stories outside of a strictly religious context.
Obviously this is a man who’s been on an incredible Spiritual Journey so I just had to get him onto the podcast! I greatly enjoyed our conversation and I’m sure you will too. We talk all about the relationship of the Bible to the Western world. And we also have some conversation centering around experiences in the natural world and encountering transcendence in wild places. I haven’t even mentioned yet that now he finds himself in the role of a spiritual/psychological guide who takes seekers into the wilderness to embark on introspective – and spiritually explorative journeys. Yes, this is a man well worth having a conversation with. Enjoy!
Find out more about Kent and his work at:
kentdobson.com
CONNECT WITH THE GROUNDED PRESENCE:
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
facebook:@thegroundedpresence
Join me on episode 24 and together we'll explore what it means to be "unshackled." Immature religion usually offers one answer to this question.... and if my past experience is any indicator that answer is: 'being unshackled' is being close enough to God that you're essentially removed from the human condition. But what if it's simpler and much more primal than that? What if it's merely a matter of being FULLY present to the experiences you have while embodying this human condition and seeing the beauty in it - not trying to transcend it, not being repulsed by it, but inviting it.
Join me on "Unshackled" Episode 24 of The Grounded Presence Podcast and I'll share with you a recent experience I had that contrasts what it looks like to be 'unshackled' under religion vs. what it looks like to be 'unshackled' apart from religion. I had a lot of fun with this episode and I'm sure you have just as much fun listening to it. Enjoy!
Links to the music mentioned in the episode:
Don Diabolo Episode #186
Jordan Margo "Shackles" (VIP Mix) (Single)
CONNECT WITH THE GROUNDED PRESENCE:
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
facebook:@thegroundedpresence
There is something inherently sacred about the experience of being human. This week I've encountered a few resources where I've witnessed people deeply and authentically sharing their humanity, who've had a way of inviting me into the sacred space of their human experiences - it's beautiful and refreshing! ----more----And oh how I wish there we're more things like this in our world. There are so many things vying for our attention that don't invite us into this sacred space but rather distract us. On Episode 23 I'll explore the experiences I've had this week and explore how these truly human interactions are of so much more value to me than any experience religion has ever offered me. Though I see the value in religion it tends to be sorely lacking in these sacred human interactions.
CONNECT WITH THE GROUNDED PRESENCE:
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
facebook:@thegroundedpresence
Sometimes having certainty is a very good thing. Other times when we become too rationally certain of some belief, it can suck away all of the inspiration that it might have to offer us. This is true of stories and mythologies that have a way of transcending our rational understanding and striking us ----more----closer to our core. Holding these too tightly and rationally can squelch and choke them of the greater invitation they have to offer us - into the deeper waters of the human experience.
On Episode 22 of The Grounded Presence Podcast. I'll share with you a silly mythology that I've come to believe. One that on a rational level I honestly believe to be factually inaccurate. But in spite of that this belief calls to me and inspires me, and I think allowing myself to believe on a transrational level makes me a better and more loving agent on this earth. Yes I'm being vague - but it has has to do with a video I saw on youtube of a street performer performing a pop song. It's silly but something about this video resonates deep in my core.
I think we are all trying to understand the wider picture of how belief works in our lives and in our culture and I believe this video gives me some insight into how it does. Listen to the podcast, watch the video, and enjoy Episode 22!
Here's a link to the video I mention on the show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkaFxO-YOX0
CONNECT WITH THE GROUNDED PRESENCE:
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
facebook:@thegroundedpresence
Joining me this week on the Podcast is Rev. Jon Scott, host of "The Holy Heretics Podcast." Is your curiosity piqued? The tagline for his show is "Alternative Theology for the Spiritual Misfit." His aim is to create----more---- space and comradery for those that have walked away from tight handed religious beliefs in search of more expansive truth. Particularly those transitioning out of an Evangelical fundamentalist background - as he himself has. He runs a great show and has had many notable guests who bring great ideas and food for thought to the table.
On Episode 21 we talk about his podcast, his 24 years as an ordained minister, and leaving the Evangelical Christian Church. This is one you won't want to miss. It's absolutely jam packed with so many fantastic insights from Jon and very quotable 'one liners.' If you're hungry for some food for thought, by the end of episode 21 I'm sure you'll feel quite satisfied.
CONNECT WITH "THE HOLY HERETICS":
web: https://holyheretics.libsyn.com/
Instagram:@theholyheretics
CONNECT WITH THE GROUNDED PRESENCE:
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
facebook:@thegroundedpresence
Good stories are so important in our lives, but we all to often undervalue them. Culturally there's this feeling that only immature minds need to believe stories to operate - but 'us of higher intellect' operate ----more----solely on fact and rationality. That sounds nice and all... maybe a little bit "elitist." But it's a giant load of, well let's say.... "horse fertilizer". We all need to generate stories to navigate our way through life. Weather it's in our day to day routine or long term goals - WE NEED STORIES. I've been made painfully aware of this as of late. Moving across the country with my family in June was no small task and we moved because our dreams pushed us to! If we had logically known how much work and disorientation we would incur as a result of moving I greatly doubt we would have completed such a feat.
Episode 20 explores how important stories are to move us all forward in our lives. I also explore the experience when the story you've been telling yourself gives way to reality and you must quickly adjust. All that and more! I also share with you a fun story about some lessons that I was taught in Elementary school that I can honestly say I didn't truly learn until just recently as a 31 year old. Enjoy!
CONNECT WITH THE GROUNDED PRESENCE:
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
facebook: @thegroundedpresence
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
Most conversations take place on the superficial and surface level. Few dare to tread beyond and many of us, myself included, struggle to guide a conversation into deeper waters. It's difficult isn't it? On episode 19 I look at ----more----a classic philosophic question and pick apart the different ways we usually attempt to avoid interacting with it in depth and vulnerability. We usually don't do to well. Even when there are questions that call to our depth and personal experiences - most of us would usually rather hang out in the shallow end of certainty and rationality. Truth be told... it is a lot easier. But truth again... it's not near as fun. So dive in to the deep end with me on episode 19! Later in the episode I'll also talk about a religious adage that I've recently begun to see through a new lens. Though it is a statement often viewed as a reductive and narrow minded one, it's recently blossomed into an expansive and inviting one in my mind. I can't wait to share it with you in this episode.
We all know what it's like to fail. Although we all hate to admit it... trying and failing is really the only way to learn anything in this life. Brian Bishop, Ph.D joins me on episode 18 to talk about failing and the importance of experiential learning.
Brian is a long time friend and I've seen him----more---- throw him self fully into a few different paths over the time I've known him. And spoiler.... not every path he has pursued has unfolded the way he would have hoped - or even turned out to be viable in the long run. So that's a fancy sugar coated way of saying he's tried some things and failed at some things. Or maybe we'll sugar coat it again and say - he has tried some things and had "limited success." But nonetheless every avenue Brian has pursued has taught him a valuable lesson.
Brian now finds himself in a position where he is very content and pleased with the work he is doing. He states in the episode "It's only now after being in the work force for 30 years, that I'm satisfied and having fun with what I do." I hope we can all be so lucky to find our place in life as Brian has. It's a fun light hearted conversation to close out the short series of interview's I've been doing on this topic of "The work that is yours to do." I hope you have as much fun listening to it as we had recording it!
Spoken word poet and Pastor, Dale Fredrickson, is back on the podcast for another round. This time he’s sharing some poems with us from his “On Wounds and Wonder” Project. Dale and I had a great conversation previously on Episode 16, but his poetry…. it’s even better! Brace your self for some ----more----next level word crafting. He has put blood, sweat, and tears into his craft and it shows! Boy oh boy it shows! His poems are truly something special. He doesn’t just merely describe things he observes or experiences… he invites you deeper into your own raw humanity by diving into his own. For me his work functions as a path back to to what is deepest and truest within my self and the broader human experience.
Dale shares recordings of 3 of my favorite of his poems and we have some great discussion around each piece. If you like diving to the depths of the heart and what it means to be human, you absolutely won’t want to miss this episode!
CONNECT WITH DALE FREDRICKSON:
web:dalefredrickson.com
Instagram: @poemsbydalecarl
Facebook: @dale.fredrickson1
WIN FREE POETRY:
Write a review of the podcast on iTunes and send a screen shot of your review to thegroundedpresence@gmail.com and you’ll be entered to win a copy of Dale’s “On Wounds and Wonder” album & book.
CONNECT WITH THE GROUNDED PRESENCE:
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
Dale Fredrickson is an awesome guy. He’s a poet - a spoken word poet. He’s also the pastor of a church out here in Lakewood CO. Even more importantly… ----more----he’s my guest on episode 16 of the podcast.
Now if you’re like me these two terms, poet and pastor, don’t sit very comfortably together in your mind. These terms seem to be almost antonyms in some respects. The poet is the one who feels the experience and the pastor often seems to be the one who categorizes the experience. Poets and pastors seem to butt heads often. The poet want’s to EXPERIENCE the divine in life - while the pastor usually wants to define the parameters of what the divine even is in the first place.
Even with figures in traditional Christianity like King David - who was a king, in a position of supreme control, and at the same time deeply a poet at heart, there still seems to be a bit of cognitive dissonance between these two terms in my mind. Dale on the other hand holds these two polarities with grace and ease. His poetry is truly something special and it holds a special place in my heart. Dale, through his poetry, facilitates moments for listeners and readers to dive deep into the human experience by displaying his own in a vulnerable, beautiful, and artistic way. His poetry touches my soul deeply - I told Dale at one point after listening to some of his poetry that he never ceases to “Baptize me with his words.”
I can’t exactly describe it - but when Dale speaks or writes his poetry he creates a space of “Holy Ground.” A space that he is kind enough and humble enough to invite you and I into.
On episode 16 we’ll talk about what holding these two polarities of poet and pastor looks like… if the even are polarities at all. Then on episode 17 we’ll listen to 4 of his fantastic spoken word poems and have conversations around each of them. I love him and his poetry and I know you will too.
CONNECT WITH DALE FREDRICKSON:
web:dalefredrickson.com
Instagram: @poemsbydalecarl
Facebook: @dale.fredrickson1
WIN FREE POETRY:
Write a review of the podcast on iTunes and send a screen shot of your review to thegroundedpresence@gmail.com and you’ll be entered to win a copy of Dale’s “On Wounds and Wonder” album & book.
CONNECT WITH THE GROUNDED PRESENCE:
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
Meet Mike Lemme - a New York City comedian making his own way up the rungs of the comedy ladder. He's performed in NYC, London, Paris, and Rome among other locations. Though he is concerned with mastering his craft of comedy... he's just as concerned with learning how to be more----more---- present to the moment. He strives to be present to him self and those around him in his daily life, and offer this presence to his craft and his audience while he's performing stand-up on stage. Now don't misunderstand me, he's not some comedic yogi or zen master or anything like that. He's just a bit more focused on offering you an honest window into his experiences than just merely making you laugh. It's unique - and I like it. Bottom line he is a comedian seeking what all of us are seeking - more joy in the moment - and he does a great job exploring and showcasing his experiences from his platform as a stand up comedian. I had a blast having this conversation with Mike Lemme and I'm sure you're going to love listening in on it. Enjoy!
To connect with Mike and his work:
Website: mikelemme.com
Instagram: @mikelemme
Facebook: @lemmeNYC
Want to connect with The Grounded Presence?
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
Have you ever heard of the practice of "spiritual direction"? Well this is your chance. This week I have a conversation with Trevor Wright. Trevor pastors out in Findlay, Ohio. Some would say being a pastor and standing up in front of the masses ----more----proclaiming the "truth" is the pinnacle of the spiritual journey. Trevor has a different idea of the spiritual journey. As he's dived deeper into his own journey this has lead him down a path toward "spiritual direction." Essentially a spiritual director sits with those they "direct" that are on their own path. Directors listen with the heart - they are not "answer-men" as Trevor states in the episode (though being a director is not just limited to men). It's a good and holy experience, that's what I understand after having this conversation with Trevor, it's all about "making space" in ones life. Space where it's possible to listen to the divine or the truest self. One thing is for sure this is not an exercise in "making more disciples" for a particular religion. It's more of an act of companionship and helping people keep walking the path of their journey.
To connect with Trevor's work:
website: www.makespace.life
instagram: @makespace.life
twitter: @jccfindlay
Want to connect with The Grounded Presence?
website: thegroundedpresence.com
email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
instagram:@thegroundedpresence
Elizabeth Colunga joins me again on the podcast. This time she’s talking about the documentary she’s currently filming. Her Film follows the journey of a man named “Ethan” who shot and killed a man in self defense. He’s been ----more----on a crazy journey through the legal system. He’s also been on a crazy internal journey trying to find healing from the traumatic event of taking another human’s life. His journey has ultimately landed him in a place of solitude, living on a plot of land in a tent. The story that Elizabeth is telling through her film is one of maddening circumstances but also one of richness and healing. I’m so excited to share this conversation with you. Elizabeth has a palpable passion for film and for the human heart that needs healing that you can clearly hear it in her voice during our conversation.
To stay up to date with Elizabeth and her documentary check out her website:
www.elizabethcolunga.com
Or follow her on instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/elizabeth_colunga/
-----Want to connect?-----
Email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
Web: thegroundedpresence.com
Instagram: @thegroundedpresence
Facebook: @thegroundedpresence
Episode 12 is all about "birthing new ideas." The process of making ideas into realities. It's no easy task. On this episode I share one of my misadventures in ----more----pursuing a small scale dream only to find out it was not a good fit. In the past I would have called this a waste of time. But the more I learn I'm seeing it as valuable experience. That said it's still very hard to cut ties with a dream once you become connected to it. In my own life it's often felt like I make a demand of myself to stay connected with a dream until it produces the outcome I had hoped for - but following that train of thought can just leave you burnt out and bitter. There's a better way to do things. Later in the episode I'll talk about the difficulty that can be encountered when you start sharing your dreams with trusted friends and acquaintances. Only to be met with the reactions of others that.... Just... Don't... seem to quite understand the dream you're dreaming and rather treating it as a problem to be solved.
-----Want to connect?-----
Email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
Web: thegroundedpresence.com
Instagram: @thegroundedpresence
Facebook: @thegroundedpresence
Twitter: @TheGroundedPod
Meet Brian Bishop! Brian has traveled far and wide, and he has seen much of the world. At the time we recorded this conversation he has already traveled to 62 countries. That’s a big portion of the ----more----roughly 200 countries that exist on this earth. Brian’s goal is not merely to set foot on the soil of a new country when he travels, but to truly immerse himself in it and experience the culture. For Brian, it’s not just an exercise of crossing countries off of a list.
On episode 11 he shares some his most memorable experiences while traveling. He also shares how these experiences have shaped his view of, people, the world, and his overall philosophy of life. I love having conversations like this one with people who possess such a unique perspective. I don’t think I’ll ever make it to 62 countries in my life time considering the fact that I just turned 31… and have only been outside the US once in my life. If I’m to compete with Brian, I’d need to get a move on! Brian has some great experiences to share and I’m excited for you to hear him and his perspective on episode 11!
Pastor Mark Tidd joins me for a conversation on Episode 10 of The Grounded Presence Podcast. Mark is the founding pastor of Highlands Church in Denver Colorado. His church is supportive, open, and affirming of LGBTQ+ individuals. Issues surrounding LGBTQ+ are actually the reason
----more----Highlands Church was founded in the first place. Initially, Mark was educated and ordained in the Christian Reformed tradition. Eventually though, he was confronted with a very complex situation at a church he pastored. A situation pertaining to church members & LGBTQ+ identities. This situation caused him to start rethinking the tradition and theology in which he'd been educated and ordained. Ultimately this led to him being stripped of his ordination and in the wake of all this... Highlands Church was founded. It's a beautiful place & Mark and I had a beautiful conversation on Episode 10. I wish more churches and religious institutions were filled with kind, loving, & empathetic individuals like him.We had a blast recording this conversation and I'm sure you'll have just as much fun listening to it! Enjoy!
Learn more about Mark Tidd & Highlands Church here:
Highlands Church Denver
-----Want to connect?-----
Email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
Web: thegroundedpresence.com
Instagram: @thegroundedpresence
Facebook: @thegroundedpresence
Twitter: @TheGroundedPod
Winter is usually a really hard time of year for me, well I think it is for most of us. The daylight hours recede, the temperatures drop, most of the natural world ----more----
seems to die or go into hibernation, and friendships seem to take an unexplainable hiatus during these winter months. But I went on a hike back in December that gave me a new view into the natural world during this chilly season. I saw a world of potential life, rather than just a dead one. I gained a new appreciation for these cool months - where I'm typically just waiting on pins and needles for the warmth and sunshine to break in. Winter is still a difficult time for me... and in the middle of February I'm itching for some sunlight and warmth! Oh, to wear shorts and a T-shirt again!!! But this experience I had offered me a new vantage point that has carried me through the past few months. I hope hearing about my experience does a bit of the same for you.
The fun continues from episode 7 in a second conversation with Elizabeth Colunga. On the last episode we talked about meeting at an event called ----more----"Theology Beer Camp" this time we discuss "Atheism for Lent." Atheism for lent is an online course distributed by philosopher, author, and speaker Peter Rollins. It takes place over the 40 days (6 weeks) of Lent. Elizabeth and I were part of a small pop up community that met once a week to discuss the content. It was a crazy experience - I was exposed to many great philosophers and theologians that I have never before been encouraged to explore due to my Evangelical Christian background. From Ludwig Feuerbach to Friedrich Nietzche to Slavoj Žižek it was quite a ride. This course was heavy stuff. It opened my eyes to new lines of thought that were nothing short of paradigm shifting for me.
Peter Rollins uses the term "Pyrotheology" to describe his brand of theology and philosophy. A philosophy of burning down the old structures of religion and dogma that seem to hinder us rather than help us - allowing them to fade away and be replaced with newer more relevant and organic models and beliefs. I suppose it is a bet heretical... but I think the greater question is in the end, will the way we model reality help us a create a more beautiful world? I think that should be our sole aim. The season of "Athiesm for Lent" I experienced earlier this year certainly aided in burning down some the hindrances on my path towards a more beautiful life.
I hope you enjoy the conversation I had with Elizabeth Colunga. It's a good one. If you're interested check out these links if you are interested in learning more about "Atheism for Lent" course or Peter Rollins & "Pyrotheology." Further more in this episode I drop a bunch of quotes I gleaned from the readings laid out in the course, ones that really resonated with me deeply. So before I close it out I'll drop them all below so you can easily find them if were intrigued by any of them.
“God cannot be grasped by the mind. If he could be grasped he would not be God.” -Evagrius Ponticus
“If therefore my work is negative, irreligious, atheistic, let it be remembered that atheism — at least in the sense of this work — is the secret of religion itself; that religion itself, not indeed on the surface, but fundamentally, not in intention or according to its own supposition, but in its heart, in its essence, believes in nothing else than the truth and divinity of human nature. My only wish is to transform friends of God into friends of man, believers into thinkers, devotees of prayer into devotees of work, candidates for the hereafter into students of the world, Christians who, by their own procession and admission, are "half animal, half angel" into persons, into whole persons... I negate the fantastic hypocracy of theology and religion only in order to affirm the true nature of man.” -Ludwig Feuerbach- (from “The Essence of Christianity”)
“God is the explanation for the unexplainable which explains nothing because it explains everything without distinction” -Ludwig Feuerbach- (from “The Essence of Christianity”)
“What are these churches now if they are not the tombs and sepulchers of God?” -Friedrich Nietzsche- (from his parable “The Madman”)
Links & Resources:
- Peter Rollins
- Athiesm for Lent Course
-----Want to connect?-----
Email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
Web: thegroundedpresence.com
Instagram: @thegroundedpresence
Facebook: @thegroundedpresence
Twitter: @TheGroundedPod
Eilizabeth Colunga joins me in this episode to discuss our experience at the "Theology Beer Camp" event we attended in Denver in the summer of ----more----2017. That sounds like an interesting event right? It was indeed. It did not disappoint!It was everything you'd expect from the title - and much much more. Let's just say this: 16 kegs of beer - 100 people - over a 3 day period! Nuf said! The speakers at this event wereTripp Fuller (of home brewed Christianity) and Peter Rollins "the modern Irish philosopher" as Elizabeth Colunga likes to refer to him. I also have to take this opportunity to give a shout out to the Denver Brew Theology crew here in Denver, Ryan Miller, & Janel Ramsey. They were the ones who brought this event to my city! Good times, great beer, and fantastic ideas & theology. See Below for more info on these organizations. Or to suggest bringing a theology beer camp to your city.----more----
Brew Theology http://www.brewtheology.org/
Theology Beer Camp https://homebrewedchristianity.lpages.co/theology-beer-camp-birthday-edition/
Home Brewed Christianity https://homebrewedchristianity.com/
----more----
-----Want to connect?-----
Email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
Web: thegroundedpresence.com
Instagram: @thegroundedpresence
Facebook: @thegroundedpresence
Twitter: @TheGroundedPod
Happy New Year and welcome to 2019!!! I have some exciting stuff in store for you on the podcast this year.... it's going to be a big year ----more----to say the least. I also do a follow up from the last episode - "Ep.5 The Holidays & Authentic Identity." I did as I was speculating in the last episode - I wished people a "Merry Christmas" instead of saying "Happy Holiday's" - Now that said.... I do want to be inclusive... but I've found thatsaying "Happy Holidays" doesn't conjure up the same authenticity in me as saying "Merry Christmas." does. The results were somewhat unexpected and generated a lot of rich experiences. Listen to the episode to find out what happened!
I'm looking forward to a very eventful 2019 here at The Grounded Presence. Join me on the journey - there is a lot of beauty and honesty in store for you this year.
Want to connect?
Email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
Web: thegroundedpresence.com
Instagram: @thegroundedpresence
Facebook: @thegroundedpresence
Twitter: @TheGroundedPod
It's the 2018 Holiday season. There always seems to be a PC debate over what we should call the season Christmas, Holidays, Festivus.... ----more----etc. And how should we greet each other during this season? What are we to do if we just want to spread the joy of the season in the way in which we experience it. Can we do that in a healthy way?I think most people respect the way others celebrate the season in general.It's just a few outliers that get offended - on either end of the spectrum that get offended. Those are always the loudest voices unfortunately. But what if we just wish each other our seasonal greetings in the language that is most natural to us - and that which brings us the most joy in the season? Let's talk about it!
Link to the Pew research article I mentioned in the show:
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/12/18/5-facts-about-christmas-in-america/
Want to connect?
Email: thegroundedpresence@gmail.com
Web: thegroundedpresence.com
Instagram: @thegroundedpresence
Facebook: @thegroundedpresence
Twitter: @TheGroundedPod
Dave Johnson and I finish the conversation we started last episode. More great talk about community, bonding, and building meaningful ----more----relationships. We talk about the importance of being present in conversation and truly listening, as well as having a spirit of curiosity.
On this episode I have a conversation with my friend Dave Johnson. We talk all about community, bonding, and forming meaningful----more---- relationships. We also discuss what each of these mean in modern soceity.
This week on the show Amy Powell (my wife) and I attend a Zen meditation session together, at a temple here in denver. It's a first for us both. We both----more---- grew up in evangelical Christian houselholds and growing up, never interacted very much with other faith & belief systems outsied our own. It was an experience that made for some great conversation.
For this frist episode I'll talk a little bit about some expereinces I've had while writing the blog. In addition I discuss my first experience ----more----watching a live Drag performace. I'll also talk about the importance of interfaith spaces and pushing past your boundaries in order to understand others better and become a more loving individual.