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Contemplify

Paul Swanson | Contemplative Shoveler

Kindling the Examined Life

society & culture philosophy

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59:30

Dr. Martin Shaw on Liturgies of the Wild

Contemplify ·

2026/02/01

“Here is a rosary of soaring myth, gripping narrative, and deep wisdom, all told with breathtaking verve that enchants and sweeps us along, from first word to last. A superb, inspiring read.”— Gabor Maté, author ofThe Myth of Normal Dr. Martin Shaw a writer, mythographer, wilderness guide, and Christian thinker. In our conversation we delve into his latest book, Liturgies of the Wild: Myths That Make Us. A book that any personal library would benefit from. Shaw delivers a

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5:55

Vision for a New Cabinet by Teddy Macker (Season 7...

Contemplify ·

2026/01/26

“As Christians…we are Ceremony people, story people, poetic people.” — Martin Shaw Season 7 is hatching. A series of conversations has come together, mighty and beautiful folks offering feathered insight and story from their unique perch in the world (I am going to shift things up a bit and share a conversation once a month for Season 7). But first, here and now, Teddy Macker is going to share a piece that gave me goosebumps the first time I encountered it. If

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5:57

The Famous One

Contemplify ·

2026/01/02

“Always keep death before you.”— Rule of St. Benedict Musing on obituaries with your name on it. Photo by Contemplify

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59:13

Remembering Lerita Coleman Brown on Waiting for a...

Contemplify ·

2025/12/20

“Ihighly recommend What Makes You Come Alive to churches, religious and educational institutions, and spiritual seekers everywhere who are looking for an inward journey that finds its home in the world of nature, people, and things.”— Walter Earl Fluker– Editor and Director of the Howard Thurman Papers Project Remembering Lerita Coleman Brown (1954-2025) Dr. Lerita Coleman Brown is a retreat leader, speaker, spiritual companion, and professor emerita

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6:25

Stay Outside (or Non-Liturgical Liturgical Calendar...

Contemplify ·

2025/12/11

“Some people need to stay outside.”— Jim Harrison — Andrew Carroll Musing on my personal non-liturgical liturgical calendar that runs from December 11 – December 10 each calendar year. Photo by Contemplify

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1:15:45

Gail Straub on Embracing Our Human Family

Contemplify ·

2025/11/01

“In radiant, lyrical prose, Gail Straub takes us on a voyage like no other, both into little-known places across the globe and, most memorably, the inner realms of the soul. …..this is a journey that no reader will forget and, I believe, all readers will, in their own way, hope to emulate.” — Andrew Carroll Author and empowerment pioneer Gail Straub’s latest book Home Inside the Globe: Embracing Our Human Family. This is Gail’s second time on Contemplify (hear our first conversation here), and like

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46:27

Mark Longhurst on The Holy Ordinary

Contemplify ·

2025/10/18

“A truly beautiful book that can take you to the very heart of who you are meant to be in God.” — Fr. Adam Bucko Mark Longhurst is an author and contemplative guide who has spent years exploring the sacred dimensions of everyday life. In our conversation we talk about his book The Holy Ordinary: A Way to God, a beautiful invitation to discover the divine presence woven throughout our daily movements. Mark draws on his experiences as an activist, pastor, father, husband, art enthusiast as a way to

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59:22

Haleh Liza Gafori Brings Water to the Thirsty

Contemplify ·

2025/10/04

“Water is immediate and timeless. These poems imprint on the heart. To read these verses is to enter mystery and paradox, to be burnished by the sacred fire and broken open by the holiest dance.” — Suleika Jaouad Haleh Liza Gafori is a translator, performance artist, vocalist, and educator whose work bridges ancient Persian mysticism with contemporary spiritual longing. In our conversation we talk about her latest book Water, a luminous collection of new translations from the 13th-century Persian

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46:06

Contemplative Parenting with Aizaiah G. Yong and...

Contemplify ·

2025/09/20

“This book is just what the world needs right now. At a time when tensions are hot, divisions are growing, and uncertainty is the order of the day, Sacred Parenting is a call to reconnect with what matters most: our children, our families, ourselves, and our God. The authors offer gentle wisdom and contemplative practices as antidotes to the high-volume, fast-paced, do-or-die world in which we live.” — David M. Csinos, founder and president of Faith Forward, research director for Family Faith Every

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46:16

[Rebroadcast] Dr. Larry Ward on America’s Racial...

Contemplify ·

2025/09/13

“In this taut, fearless, and well-argued manifesto, Larry Ward offers us a deeply insightful analysis of America’s racial karma—of how it operates individually and collectively—and how it can be worked with and transformed. Drawing on Buddhist psychology, trauma theory, neuroscience, and years of practice … the result is a searing, liberative, and tender work—a book that is both urgent and necessary.” — Jan Willis, author of Dharma Matters: Women, Race, and Tantra Dr. Larry Ward is a senior teacher

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1:00:17

Amy Frykholm on Journey to the Wild Heart

Contemplify ·

2025/09/06

“You can trust Amy Frykholm as a modern-day amma who knows the terrain of the soul. Reading Journey to the Wild Heart is like going out to the desert for a word. It helps us slow down, let go, unknow in Silence, and embody Love.― — Carmen Acevedo Butcher, author of Practice of the Presence Amy Frykholm is a writer and journalist who makes her third appearance on Contemplify (round one, round two) to talk about her latest book Journey to the Wild Heart: Four Invitations to Contemplative Living. Amy

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1:10:00

Todd Davis on Ditch Memory

Contemplify ·

2025/08/23

“To read a new and selected collection is to experience the evolution of a voice, in this case an essential voice in American poetry. To sit with the whole of these transportive, immersive poems is to awaken like a wild riparian corridor in spring. Wildflowers on the banks. Birdsong in the branches. The reader’s heart is a bud: open. Beautiful work.” — Chris Dombrowski, The River You Touch Poet Todd Davis’s latest collection is Ditch Memory: New and Selected Poems. This is Todd’s third time on

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1:04:47

Sr. Laura Swan, OSB on the Radical Wisdom of the...

Contemplify ·

2025/08/09

“…Swan’s book provides an accessible overview of beguine spirituality in the context of their own times…[it] does a good job of explaining both the beguines’ spiritual practices and their continuing legacy.” — Commonweal Sr. Laura Swan is a Benedictine sister, spiritual director, author, teacher, and archivist. In our conversation we talk about her book The Wisdom of the Beguines: The Forgotten Story of a Medieval Women s Movement. I am fascinated by the Beguine movement as I think it is incredibly

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1:07:52

Patrick Boland on Contemplative Leadership

Contemplify ·

2025/07/25

“Such a generous and skillful offering! If you want to use your power and influence for good in this world, here is your practice manual. May you have the discipline and commitment to use it well.” — Margaret J. Wheatley Patrick Boland is an author, teacher, coach, and consultant. In our conversation we talk about his book The Contemplative Leader: Uncover the Power of Presence and Connection. Patrick is a whipsmart, strategic thinker with a contemplative heart and presence. Patrick’s atypical

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1:07:42

Cynthia Bourgeault on Thomas Keating, Christian...

Contemplify ·

2025/07/12

“As a close student and friend of Thomas Keating’s for thirty-five years, I was exhilarated reading this lively and profound exploration of his journey into unity consciousness, and grateful the world has the opportunity to glimpse the inner life, struggles, and spiritual evolution of this extraordinary soul. A must-read for Centering Prayer practitioners in navigating the farther, subtler terrain of their path and for anyone seeking a model of embodied Christian nonduality. Cynthia has given

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4:36

Intensification of Life (Season 6 Trailer)

Contemplify ·

2025/06/25

“Practice simply is one intensification of what is natural and around us all the time. Practice is to life as poetry is to spoken language. So as poetry is the practice of language, “practice” is the practice of life.” — Gary Snyder As an entryway to Season 6, I have two things to share; a quote and a small taster plate of Season 6. The quote comes from Gary Snyder, a rascal zen hero of mine, who has quietly and masterfully employed a way of becoming a person devoted to one’s craft, community, and

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1:04:41

Peter Traben Haas on Prayer as a Practice of...

Contemplify ·

2024/12/18

“These prayers act as both a holy pause – a space to rest into when our own words seem to fail us – and a spark – a way of igniting our recommitment to be a loving presence in the world. Full of gratitude, humility, and devotion, Haas calls us back into communion with ourselves, with creation, and with the Holy One.” — Christine Valters Paintner Rev., Dr. Peter Traben Haas rises each morning watching the light shade from dark to dawn and the still silence births words. His aim as a pastor and writer

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5:40

Backporch Advent Outpost with Hadewijch and the...

Contemplify ·

2024/12/08

“We must, without sparing, lose all for all.” — Hadejwich of Antwerp This morning I want to muse on Mary, mother of Jesus, through the eyes of 13th Century mystic Hadewijch during this second week of Advent. Drink Recommended Photo by ContemplifyLinks to book purchases give a kickback to a local New Mexican bookstore and Contemplify

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57:28

Katherine May on Enchantment, Building Community,...

Contemplify ·

2024/11/24

“I love Katherine May’s new book, Enchantment.… It’s a beautiful offering of light, truth and charm in these strange, dark times.” — Anne Lamott Katherine May is an internationally bestselling author and podcaster living in Whitstable, UK. Her most recent book, Enchantment became an instant New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller. Her internationally bestselling hybrid memoir Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times was adapted as BBC Radio 4’s Book of the Week, and was

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1:11:18

Andrew Krivak on the Inheritance of Loss, Death as a...

Contemplify ·

2024/11/10

“Krivak is a novelist, poet, and memoirist whose work has been compared to William Faulkner’s in its rich sense of place, to Wendell Berry’s in its attentiveness to natural beauty, and to Cormac McCarthy’s in its deep investigation of violence and myth. Yet all of Krivak’s writing, and especially his fiction, presents a truly singular vision.” — Image Journal You might remember my last conversation with Andrew Krivak on his novel, The Bear. In addition to The Bear, Andrew has written a trio of books

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