Faithfully Creative
Conversations with writers, musicians, and other artists on the connections between faith and creativity.
Episodes
The Gifts of Belonging, Solitude, and Rest
The extending piece of being a person of welcome… offers a more substantial sense of belonging than if we were to only consume. - Sarah WestfallMy humanity needs space for nothingness. It needs to become settled once again… so that sometime in the future again, I can exhale and give again. - Sarah WestfallIn this episode, Matt has a conversation with Sarah Westfall. Sarah is a full-time writer, sp
Courage, Wonder, and Naming the Animals
“To live a creative life, we do have to make a choice to live in courage, to be willing to be vulnerable and to put ourselves out there.”In this episode Matt has a conversation with Stephen Roach. Stephen is host of the Makers and Mystics podcast and founder of The Breath and The Clay creative arts organization. Stephen travels as a keynote speaker and event curator conducting workshops and events
Story and the Music of Resilience and Hope
"If we believe we're made in the image of God, a creator God, then that image in us is creative. It's a way of engaging with that divine spark."In this episode, Matt has a conversation with Shari Green. Shari writes fiction and poetry for children and young adults. Her latest book, SONG OF FREEDOM, SONG OF DREAMS, is a 2024 Governor General’s Literary Award finalist. Her other novels in verse incl
Jazz, Preaching, and Creativity as Church
"The church doesn’t need to be full of professional artists to be creative. Creativity is about engaging our neighbourhoods with imagination and love."In this episode, Matt has a conversation with Dr. Mark Glanville. He currently works as the Director of the Centre for Missional Leadership at St. Andrew’s Hall at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and is the author of 5 books. He has p
Writing, Resistance, and Whole Self Creativity
“Creativity is a response to being loved. Whether through poetry, music, or even gardening, it’s how we express our connection to the sacred.”—Kaitlin CurticeIn this episode, Matt has a conversation with Kaitlin Curtice. Kaitlin is an award-winning author, poet-storyteller, and public speaker. As a citizen of the Potawatomi nation, Kaitlin writes on the intersections of spirituality and identity a
Creativity, Wonder, and Play
In this episode, Matt talks with Laura Alary. Laura is the author of over 20 books (a few are on their way to publication). On her website, she claims to “write stories that make us bigger on the inside” and explains that “…means my books make you think. Wonder. Ask big questions. Maybe understand other people a bit better. Some of them are serious. Some are funny. Most are a bit of both. But they
Joy in Creating
In this inaugural episode of the newly minted Faithfully Creative Podcast, Matt has a conversation with Merideth Hite Estevez. She is a Juilliard-trained oboist, Doctor of Musical Arts, author, coach, and speaker who helps self-identified artists and the creatively curious recover the joy of making. Merideth is host of the Artists for Joy podcast and author of The Artist’s Joy: a guide to Getting
From Reluctantly to Faithfully Creative
Note: The personal essay below is most of this podcast episode. You may either listen or read. Your choice!As I’ve attempted to move toward a more regular pattern of writing, I’ve decided to change the name of this Substack newsletter and also change the name and essentially re-launch my podcast. Both will now be called “Faithfully Creative.”My aim is to stay on the same trajectory that I’ve been
The Deep Well of Art, Music, and Community
This amazing conversation with Juno-award winning musician, Steve Bell, was the 9th episode of the Spirituality for Ordinary People Podcast. I felt like it was worth re-sharing, and have also included the original “show notes” below. You can also get a transcript by reading this post in the substack app or on the substack website.This interview was such an amazing experience, recorded in Steve’s o
Church, Listen to Women
There are certain Christian traditions that seem talk about how we need more “Bible-based teaching.” These same traditions that tend to indicate that they are elevating the Bible and take pride in “understanding the Bible literally” or, if they actually deign to admit that it is impossible to take the entire Bible literally because, well, least of all, there are poems in the Bible (even an entire
Busy-ness and Contemplation
A podcast episode based on a written reflection first posted to the Noticing Delight Substack. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattbrough.substack.com
The Narrative Arc of Scripture
Reading is interpreting. We know this more keenly than ever because we interpret all the time.You receive an email announcing that you have won a cruise. You read just a bit of it and already you have done your interpretation. It is spam or a scam. You delete it or send it to your Junk Mail folder.You read a news story and wonder if they have really got all their facts straight. Where is the news
Imagination and Biblical Interpretation
You can listen to the version audio or read the full reflection (transcript) below:The fact that we hold this collection of books as sacred (or if you personally don’t, you may at least agree that there is deep ancient wisdom there), is enough to say that we may want to do our best to understand what the Bible is all about. Interpreting the Bible can be challenging but, believe it or not, it can a
Religious About the Incarnation - Christmas
The fifth in a 5-part series for Advent/Christmas 2022.He is born among us and is one of us. The incarnation.God with us and with intent, with imagination and creativity. Bearer of hope, and peace, and joy, and love.And so, we can be religious about the incarnation. As God came into the world and loved the place and people to which He came, we can do the same.You can see the places you find yourse
Religious About Love - Advent 4
The fourth in a 5-part series for Advent/Christmas 2022.The final advent theme is Love. Love is so central. It is at the core of who we are as human beings. We naturally love. Think of parents, children, grandchildren, wives, husbands, true friends.And our faith takes us further with love. Over and over we are asked to give ourselves to love. To be religious about it. To let our love reflect di
Religious About Joy - Advent 3
The third in a 5-part series for Advent/Christmas 2022.What if joy was something you could simply choose?We tend to think joy is something that happens to us. It isn’t in our control. We would love to feel joyful, but that is really hard to do day in and day out. Is it the same as just being happy all the time? No, not really.So, what would it mean to be religious about joy?To say yes to joy, to m
Religious About Peace - Advent 2
The second in a 5-part series for Advent 2022.Being religious about something is about devotion, it’s about commitment. It is about staying the course even when you don’t feel like it. We are compelled to stay with it. We’ve made it our religion, and ours is a religion of peace.War is rampant, but we claim peace.Jesus claimed “Blessed are the Peacemakers” and declared that they would be called the
Religious About Hope - Advent 1
The first in a 5-part series for Advent/Christmas 2022.Getting religious about hope is not about being unrealistic or having some pie-in-the sky, everything will always be totally fine attitude. Religiously hoping means a full on acknowledgment of life in all its mess, brokenness, and still we fend off cynicism. We lament, but we don’t despair. We don’t just “hope everything gets a bit better soon
I hate the phrase ”catching people”
"From now on you will be catching people" - Jesus says this to his followers and it does not sound positive at all. Catching people? So, the job of people who follow Jesus is to go and "catch" others? Trap them? Trick them into something? I'm going to just say NO to all of that, but also say that when Jesus said this, there was something far more going on (no surprise - it's Jesus!). This is a pu
The Absurdity, Necessity, and Neurology of Contemplative Prayer with AJ Sherrill - Episode 114
Matt welcomes AJ Sherrill for a conversation around a book that has one of the most amazing sub-titles of all time! - Being With God: The Absurdity, Necessity, and Neurology of Contemplative Prayer. AJ is the Lead Pastor at St. Peter's Church in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and is an adjunct professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, where he teaches popular courses on transformational preaching
God With Everyone - Be Still and Behold Part 10
The Audio version of Prairie Presbyterian Church's Be Still and Behold series: 10 Weeks Exploring God's Presence in the Hebrew Scriptures. Get an Overview of the series here.This is Part Ten - God With EveryoneFor the printed liturgy and the original video series, visit https://www.prairiechurch.ca/worship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac
Running Away From God’s Presence - Be Still and Behold Part9
The Audio version of Prairie Presbyterian Church's Be Still and Behold series: 10 Weeks Exploring God's Presence in the Hebrew Scriptures. Get an Overview of the series here.This is Part Nine - Running Away From God's PresenceFor the printed liturgy and the original video series, visit https://www.prairiechurch.ca/worship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subsc
God NOT in the Earthquake, Fire, or Storm - Be Still and Behold Part 8
The Audio version of Prairie Presbyterian Church's Be Still and Behold series: 10 Weeks Exploring God's Presence in the Hebrew Scriptures. Get an Overview of the series here.This is Part Eight - God NOT in the Earthquake, Fire, or StormFor the printed liturgy and the original video series, visit https://www.prairiechurch.ca/worship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with o
God in the Temple 2 - Be Still and Behold Part7
The Audio version of Prairie Presbyterian Church's Be Still and Behold series: 10 Weeks Exploring God's Presence in the Hebrew Scriptures. Get an Overview of the series here.This is Part Seven - God in the Temple part 2For the printed liturgy and the original video series, visit https://www.prairiechurch.ca/worship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers
God in the Temple 1 - Be Still and Behold Part 6
The Audio version of Prairie Presbyterian Church's Be Still and Behold series: 10 Weeks Exploring God's Presence in the Hebrew Scriptures. Get an Overview of the series here.This is part Six - God in the Temple part 1For the printed liturgy and the original video series, visit https://www.prairiechurch.ca/worship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers o
God in the Tent - Be Still and Behold Part 5
The Audio version of Prairie Presbyterian Church's Be Still and Behold series: 10 Weeks Exploring God's Presence in the Hebrew Scriptures. Get an Overview of the series here.This is part Five - God in the TentFor the printed liturgy and the original video series, visit https://www.prairiechurch.ca/worship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac
God on the Mountain - Be Still and Behold Part4
The Audio version of Prairie Presbyterian Church's Be Still and Behold series: 10 Weeks Exploring God's Presence in the Hebrew Scriptures. Get an Overview of the series here.This is part Four - God on the MountainFor the printed liturgy and the original video series, visit https://www.prairiechurch.ca/worship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or ge
God in Pillars of Cloud and Fire - Be Still and Behold Part 3
The Audio version of Prairie Presbyterian Church's Be Still and Behold series: 10 Weeks Exploring God's Presence in the Hebrew Scriptures. Get an Overview of the series here.This is part Three - God in Pillars of Cloud and FireFor the printed liturgy and the original video series, visit https://www.prairiechurch.ca/worship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other sub
God in a Dream and a Wrestling Match - Be Still and Behold Part2
The Audio version of Prairie Presbyterian Church's Be Still and Behold series: 10 Weeks Exploring God's Presence in the Hebrew Scriptures. Get an Overview of the series here.This is part One - God in a Dream and a Wrestling MatchFor the printed liturgy and the original video series, visit https://www.prairiechurch.ca/worship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other s
God in the Garden - Be Still and Behold Part 1
The Audio version of Prairie Presbyterian Church's Be Still and Behold series: 10 Weeks Exploring God's Presence in the Hebrew Scriptures. Get an Overview of the series here.This is part One - God in the Garden.For the printed liturgy and the original video series, visit https://www.prairiechurch.ca/worship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get
Be Still and Behold - Series Introduction
Matt Brough shares about a new series, Be Still and Behold: 10 Weeks Exploring God's Presence in the Hebrew Scriptures. Get an Overview of the series here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattbrough.substack.com
Seeking Justice Together with Terence Lester - Episode 103
Matt Brough welcomes Terence Lester to the podcast for a hopeful and inspiring conversation about justice. Terence is the founder of Love Beyond Walls, a nonprofit organization focused on poverty awareness and community mobilization and is the author of When We Stand: The Power of Seeking Justice Together. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac
Indigenous Wisdom, Stories, and Justice with Mary Fontaine of Hummingbird Ministries - Episode 102
This episode features reflections and a conversation with Rev. Mary Fontaine. Executive director of Hummingbird Ministries, ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and Indigenous Leader, Mary brings such wisdom as she reflect on her own work, the need for healing and listening, the power of music, dance, and the arts, and the the important of advocacy for indigenous youth. This is
Incarnation, In-Person, and Technology When Necessary - Episode 101
As Jesus indwells the world so we too indwell the world. This might be an apt description of what is called "incarnational ministry." How might the incarnation be important for us as we reflect on being together in-person, and how might technology continue to play a vital role? (Maybe it always has!)Based on a message that Matt Brough gave at an outdoor in-person gathering.Referenced in this episo
Reclaiming Rest with Kate Rademacher - Episode 100
We made it to episode 100!! Whoohoo! And what better way to mark this milestone, and all the work that went into it, than with a conversation about resting. Matt Brough and Kate Rademacher talk about her latest book Reclaiming Rest: The Promise of Sabbath, Solitude, and Stillness in a Restless WorldThis interview is so wide-ranging covering topics like:why truly resting is so hardwhy Sabbath on a
Make a Move with Steph O'Brien - Episode 99
A lively conversation between Matt Brough and Steph O'Brien about how to "Make a Move." Often we have trouble making decisions and then even more trouble acting on them. Steph's latest book deals directly with this. On the big things and the small things, Steph provides sage wisdom for taking steps, even when they might be a bit stumbling or winding, along the path of your life. This episode focus
Ascension, Pentecost, and the Growing Time with Laura Alary - Episode 98
In this Episode, Matt Brough and children's author, Laura Alary, have a conversation about the long season of "ordinary time" and how it can be understood as a time of growth. This interview is wide ranging, including how to talk to kids about the ascension of Jesus, and also how do adults contend with the bizarre nature of the Pentecost narrative. Laura reads from her latest book, Breathe: a Chil
Becoming a Student of Joy - Episode 97
Has anyone else been having a hard time with joy? Maybe joy is something to fight for, something to learn to spot and well... enjoy. In this episode we discuss becoming a student of joy and talk about Disneyland, holding newborns, baptisms, the resurrection appearances of Jesus, and the unexpected delight of a fire hydrant in the middle of a forest. This is a public episode. If you would like to d
Relating to Others Who Are Different from You - A Liturgy for Life - Episode 96
Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch reflect on their experience walking through the practices for the fifth and final week of the "Liturgy for Life" resource. This week the focus is on the Others, especially those different from yourself. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattbrough.substack.com
The Self - A Liturgy for Life - Episode 95
Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch reflect on their experience walking through the practices for the fourth week of the "A Liturgy for Life" resource. This week the focus is on the Self. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattbrough.substack.com
Neighbourhood and Nation - A Liturgy for Life - Episode 94
Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch reflect on their experience walking through the practices for the third week of the "A Liturgy for Life" resource. This week the focus is on Neighbourhood and Nation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattbrough.substack.com
Family, Ancestors, Descendants - A Liturgy for Life - Episode 93
Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch reflect on their experience walking through the practices for the second week of the "A Liturgy for Life" resource. This week the focus is on Family, Ancestors, and Descendants. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattbrough.substack.com
Creation - A Liturgy for Life - Episode 92
Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch reflect on their experience walking through the practices for the first week of the "A Liturgy for Life" resource. This week the focus is on creation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattbrough.substack.com
Introducing Lent: Liturgy for Life - Episode 91
In this special episode of the podcast, Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch go over a new resource for Lent that they developed together and invite you to think through how you will mark lent, paying attention to your relationships with God, creation, your family, your neighbourhood, and yourself. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonu
Sitting With God in Centering Prayer - Episode 90 with Rich Lewis
Rich Lewis shares with Matt Brough about his latest book, Sitting with God: A Journey to Your True Self Through Centering Prayer. They discuss why this kind of prayer or any contemplative practice is so life-changing and how this particular practice might be a key one during challenging times. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus
Enneagram of Discernment - Episode 89 with Drew Moser
This episode features a wide ranging conversation about the enneagram between Drew Moser and your host, Matt Brough. Drew covers some of the basics but also goes deep, especially in the areas of how our distinctive personalities effect our decision making. Drew speaks about his work as helping people navigate the big questions in life, such as Who am I? Why am I here? And Where am I going?Drew's l
Meeting God in Loneliness - Episode 88 with Jason Gaboury
Loneliness is an epidemic, and is effecting young people and people of all ages in massive proportions. This may have only been heightened during the pandemic. In this conversation with Jason Gaboury, we consider whether we might be invited to wait and meet God in the midst of our loneliness and uncover a depth of presence and friendship. We also discuss imaginative ways of reading scripture and w
Knowing Where God is Leading - Following the Red Bird | Episode 87 with Kate Rademacher
In this conversation Matt Brough and Kate Rademacher talk about not always knowing or seeing, but still following, the spiritual path laid out by God. She shares her story of being raised Unitarian Universalist, being influenced by Buddhism, and being baptized as an adult in the Episcopalian Church. What does it mean to listen to “the still small voice?” Kate’s writing can be found at https://www.
Spiritual Restoration from Digital Distraction | Episode 86 with Ed Cyzewski
In this conversation, Matt Brough and Ed Cyzewski talk about some of the perils of technology on our spiritual life, from distraction to addiction. Are there ways to use technology that don't lead toward the more negative side? What do we need to understand about the psychology of apps and social media in order to reconnect with what is most important?Ed Cyzewski is the author of Reconnect: Spirit
Online Spirituality, Online Church | Episode 85 with Andria Irwin
Andria Irwin is the online minister with Highlands United Church in North Vancouver. In this conversation with her we talk less about the "tools" of online ministry, and more about the Spirituality of what it means to do and be Church in an online space. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattbrough.substack.co
A Very Different Eastertide - More Ancient Wisdom in Chaotic Times with J. Dana Trent
Matt Brough and J. Dana Trent have part 3 of their conversation on Ancient Wisdom in Chaotic Times, this time focussing on the season of Eastertide. Which Spiritual practices are most helpful right now and which ones might not be as much as we live with the realities of a Pandemic. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, v
Ancient Wisdom in Chaotic Times - A Continuing Conversation between J. Dana Trent and Matt Brough
This is a replay of the Facebook Live that Dana and Matt did on April 1st, 2020 about how in this time of emergency, crisis, and uncertainty, we have resources available to us embedded in the ancient wisdom of our faith. Together they explored: the 23rd Psalm, the Lord's Prayer, the difference between sabbatical and experiencing wilderness, and more. J. Dana Trent is a professor of World Religions
Ancient Wisdom in a Time of Crisis - A Conversation between J. Dana Trent and Matt Brough
This is a replay of the Facebook Live that Dana and Matt did on March 25th, 2020 about how in this time of emergency, crisis, and uncertainty, we have resources available to us embedded in the ancient wisdom of our faith. Together they explored: the importance of experiencing both joy and grief, how we need to lean into sabbath and why this is hard for us, and what we need in order to serve and lo
It's Okay to Feel How You Feel
We are living in very uncertain times as we continue to face the realities of the Corona Virus. We might be anxious and afraid. And we might have all kinds of voices or thoughts that tell us to "be strong" or to not feel certain ways. In response to this, I am sharing a short meditation that I wrote recently.Start with your feelingsAcknowledge how you feel and actually feel it.Don’t let voices cre
How Questions and Doubts Can Save Your Faith | Steph O'Brien
This was such a fantastic conversation with Pastor Steph O'Brien about her book, Stay Curious, which is all about embracing curiosity, questions, and even doubts as a key to unlocking a more vibrant and dynamic relationship with God.A lot of us sometimes think that we aren't supposed to have big questions about fundamental ideas about God, Jesus or the Bible. Or we might believe that the life of f
Clothed - From Adam and Eve to Revelation
The Spirituality for Ordinary People Podcast returns with a reflection on rediscovering our identity. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattbrough.substack.com
Going Deeper with The Labyrinth
Season 3 of Spirituality for Ordinary People is all about Prayer Walking. In this third episode, Matt Brough continues the conversation from episode 2 with Robin McGauley about Labyrinths. Check out the resources below the picture of the Labyrinth... Overhead view of the Labyrinth in Chartres Cathedrale Resources: Veriditas: https://www.veriditas.orgThe Expressive Arts program at fleming college:
The Labyrinth as a Way of Seeing Deeper into Our Lives
Season 3 of Spirituality for Ordinary People is all about Prayer Walking. In this second episode, Matt Brough, welcomes Robin McGauley back to the podcast to talk about walking the Labyrinth. This is such an amazing conversation. So amazing, that it has been broken up into 2 parts - so there will be another episode with the second half of the conversation! Check out the resources below the picture
Prayer Walking - An Introduction
Season 3 of Spirituality for Ordinary People is all about Prayer Walking. In this opening episode, Matt Brough, goes over a few different kinds of prayer walks and invites listeners to consider making prayer walking a regular Spiritual Practice.He goes over two main types:1) Neighbourhood Prayer-Walking (Outward focus)This type of prayer walking intentionally focusses on a particular neighbourhood
The Examen And Noticing God
In this episode of the Spirituality for Ordinary Podcast your host, Matt Brough, continues the conversation with J. Dana Trent, author of One Breath At A Time: A Skeptic’s Guide to Meditation. The first part of this conversation was in Episode 3 of Season 2. This wraps up the season on the Examen. For an overview of the Examen, you may want to go back to Episode 1 of Season 2 - The Examen in a Nut
The Examen in Times of Difficulty or Darkness
In this episode of the Spirituality for Ordinary Podcast your host, Matt Brough, begins with J. Dana Trent, author of One Breath At A Time: A Skeptic’s Guide to Meditation. The second half of their conversation will feature in the next episode. Most of this conversation goes over whether the Examen is helpful when you have days that are high stress or anxiety producing. For an overview of the Exam
The Examen as a Way To Get Off Autopilot
In this episode of the Spirituality for Ordinary Podcast your host, Matt Brough, has a conversation with Jen Ostash-Gooch about their individual experiences of the Examen. They open up a conversation about a number of topics: how the Examen allows awareness of what God might be doing in life.how the Examen helps us to not simply drift through life.how the Examen helps us to stay in the moment and
Staying Focused While Praying The Examen
In this episode of the Spirituality for Ordinary Podcast your host, Matt Brough, goes over the five steps in practice of the Examen and shares about his own ups and downs in trying to stay focused for a 10 to 20 minute time of prayer. For an overview of the Examen, you may want to go back to Episode 1 of Season 2 - The Examen in a Nutshell Episode 2 covers... The temptation to just not do it or no
The Examen in a Nutshell
This is the first episode of Season 2 of the Spirituality for Ordinary People Podcast and we are about to shift the focus in a big way. For this season, we are focusing completely on a single spiritual practice - The Examen. Below is a modified version of the Examen, a prayer practice developed by Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556). This way of going through the Examen is outlined in the book A Simple
Austin Fischer | Doubt, the Problem of Evil, and the Bigger Problem of Stuff
"Doubt is only a problem if certainty is the expectation."—Austin Fischer Episode 70 of Spirituality for Ordinary People features an interview with Austin Fischer. Austin is the Teaching Pastor at Vista Community Church. His latest book is called Faith in the Shadows: Finding Christ in the Midst of Doubt Key Learnings Everyone has doubts. "The problem of evil" is a cold, rational way to talk abou
J. Dana Trent | A Skeptics Guide to Christian Meditation
"Meditation is intentional about holding the space for listening for God's still small voice."—J. Dana Trent Episode 69 of Spirituality for Ordinary People features another interview with J. Dana Trent. Dana was on episode 67 speaking about the practice of Sabbath, and this time she is back sharing about Christian Meditation. She is a graduate of Duke Divinity School and professor of World Religi
Phileena Heuertz | Contemplation, Action, and Knowing God
"I knew all this stuff about God but I was lacking in terms of how much I knew God in my personhood, in my lived experience..."—Phileena Heuertz Episode 68 of Spirituality for Ordinary People features an interview with Phileena Heuertz. Phileena has spent her life in social justice work among the world’s poor. A member of the New Friar movement, for nearly 20 years she and her husband Chris serve
J. Dana Trent | For Sabbath's Sake
"It's that one day a week that shapes the remaining six..."—J. Dana Trent Episode 67 of Spirituality for Ordinary People features an interview with J. Dana Trent. J. Dana Trent is a graduate of Duke Divinity School and professor of World Religions and Critical Thinking at Wake Tech Community College. An ordained Baptist minister and former hospital chaplain, her work has appeared on Time.com, and
Manuel Luz | From False Self to True Praise
"Beauty is a form of truth that God uses to display His glory. Imagination allows us to tap into that again - to see God through beauty."—Manuel LuzEpisode 66 of Spirituality for Ordinary People features an interview with Manuel Luz. An aerospace engineer by day jazz/pop musician by night, Manuel Luz was called to be a worship pastor 18 years ago. He continues playing gigs, has combined engineerin
Taking a Break for November
Matt Brough explains why there won't be any new episodes of Spirituality for Ordinary People coming out in November. He needs a bit of a buffer time as he adjusts to his new role working as the Program Coordinator for the New Worshipping Communities Initiative (Cyclical PCC) for his denomination. The role is half-time, and he will be staying on as pastor of Prairie Presbyterian Church on a half-ti
Imagination, Story, and Hope
In Episode 65 of the Spirituality for Ordinary Podcast we revisit two old interviews with children's authors S.D. Smith and Laura Alary who speak about the importance of imagination, ritual, story, and how we need to inspire hope. Matt Brough also shares a bit about his own fiction writing for children, and reads from Laura Alary's new children's Bible, titled Read, Wonder, Listen.LinksMatt Brough
Darryl Dash | Building Habits for Spiritual Growth
"Habits can be a tool, a means to an end, or they can become a distraction if we're not careful because they're not the point—God is the point—they're only there to help us pursue God."—Darryl DashEpisode 64 of Spirituality for Ordinary People features an interview with Darryl Dash. Darryl is a pastor and church planter in Toronto with over 25 years of ministry experience, and author of How to Gro
Grant Vissers | Calling and Character
"It's not depth, it's not breadth, it's not knowledge... it's can you be consistent in your time spent with Jesus?"—Grant VissersEpisode 63 of Spirituality for Ordinary People features an interview with Grant Vissers. Grant is a pastor at St. Paul's Leaksdale Church, a writer, blogger, and host of the Young Church Leaders Podcast.Key LearningsWhen trying to figure out a calling, a vocation, or a n
Michelle Van Loon | Born to Wander
"There is a part of discipleship that always leaves us in motion, even if we've lived in the same place our entire lives"—Michelle Van LoonEpisode 62 of Spirituality for Ordinary People features an interview with Michelle Van Loon. Since coming to faith in Christ at the tail end of the Jesus Movement, Michelle’s Jewish heritage, spiritual hunger, and storyteller's sensibilities have shaped her fai
Ross Lockhart | Beyond Snakes and Shamrocks
"The Celtic Christian tradition is not what I would call 'I need a hug theology.' It's deeply grounded in the revelation of Father, Son, and Spirit..."—Ross LockhartEpisode 61 of Spirituality for Ordinary People features an interview with Dr. Ross Lockhart. Ross is Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Missional Leadership at St. Andrew’s Hall. Ross serves as the Presbyterian Directo
Jonathan Merritt | The Fading of Spiritual Language
"Only about 13% of Christians 'speak God' about once a week... that's shocking! Because we say we love God, we say we love faith, but we don't talk about faith..."—Jonathan MerrittEpisode 60 of Spirituality for Ordinary People features an interview with Jonathan Merritt. Jonathan Merritt is an award-winning writer on religion, culture, and politics. He currently serves as a contributing writer for
Grace Ji-Sun Kim | Healing Our Broken Humanity
"Fearing one another, hating one another, not welcoming one another... We have to somehow overcome and see what Christ has done when Jesus walked on earth. He didn't build walls, he broke them down..."—Grace Ji-Sun KimEpisode 59 of Spirituality for Ordinary People features an interview with Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim. Grace is Associate Professor of Theology at Earlham School of Religion and is the auth
Amos Smith - Be Still and Listen
Click here and Enter for a chance to win a copy of Amos Smith's latest book, Be Still and Listen"Augustine said that people try to fill that God-shaped hole in the brothel, in the bar, with their spouse, but nothing really satisfies, gives a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose, like a direct experience of God's presence. "—Amos SmithEpisode 58 of Spirituality for Ordinary People features an int
Rachel Schmoyer | Reading Hard Parts of the Bible - a Bible Study on Malachi 1:1-5
"It was amazing to me that in this hard part of scriputre, there were things we could immediately apply."—Rachel SchmoyerEpisode 57 of Spirituality for Ordinary People features Rachel Schmoyer. Rachel has a website called "Read the Hard Parts" which focusses on looking at some of the most difficult passages in Scripture and looks to discover what truth we might glean.Rather than the usual intervie
Alicia Brummeler | Everywhere God
"When I look beyond my own circumstances and catch these other glimmers of how God is moving and acting in the world and in other peoples' lives, then I realize He is here with me..."—Alicia BrummelerEpisode 56 of Spirituality for Ordinary People features an interview with Alicia Brummeler. In it, we focus on her book, Everywhere God: Exploring the Ordinary Places. We discuss encountering God in w
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