Noah Davis on The Last Beast We Revel In
Contemplify
“Noah Davis is a poet whose capacious imagination runs on river sounds and open air." — Adrian Matejka, Pulitzer Prize Finalist and editor of Poetry. Noah Davis is an award-winning poet, whose collection was my first read on my sabbatical. The poetry of Noah Davis is sensual, enlivening all senses whether it be the howling earth, family, dalliances with the beloved, or the creatures that companion and sustain us. This is his second collection of poems, his lyricism and eye hold promise for a bright future. As always you can visit for the shownotes on this episode and learn more about...
info_outline
Todd Goddard on Jim Harrison (author of Devouring Time: Jim Harrison, A Writer’s Life)
Contemplify
Todd Goddard is an award-winning writer with a Ph.D in literary studies to go along with J.D. Todd Goddard joins me to talk about his unparalleled work on one of my literary heroes, the poet and writer, Jim Harrison. Goddard’s book, . Devouring Time is the finest biography my eyes have met. Nuanced, gritty, and touching…matching the seasons of Jim Harrison’s life and revealing the textures of one of the most compelling writers and poets of the last hundred years. An important book for all Jim Harrison fans to add to their shelves. Visit Todd Goddard at | IG:
info_outline
Sasha Waters on Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World
Contemplify
Sasha Waters, an American documentary and experimental filmmaker, feminist and educator. She has produced and directed over twenty films and we are here today to talk about her latest, Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World, which will be theatrically released July 3rd () and will air nationally on the PBS series on August 25th, 2026. I cannot urge you enough, run to see Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World if it is playing in your town. It is a gorgeous, intimate portrait of Mary Oliver. In our conversation we talk about what we can learn from Mary Oliver, the sacred...
info_outline
Beverly Lanzetta on Birthing a New Mysticism
Contemplify
“With poetic clarity and theological depth, Beverly Lanzetta names the sacred within the human, the Divine Feminine within tradition, and the transforming power of contemplation for our wounded world.” — Fr. Adam Bucko Beverly Lanzetta, Ph.D., is a theologian, contemplative scholar and teacher, and the author of a number of groundbreaking books, her most recent is the centerpiece of our conversation, . A rich and precise invitation to seekers of all stripes hear the contemplative call. We talk about via feminina, mystical activism in a suffering world, dark nights of the soul, and...
info_outline
Dr. Liza J. Rankow on Soul Medicine for a Fractured World
Contemplify
“In the ashes of all we have lost, a world of liberation is waiting to be born, if we are brave enough to labor for it. Like the wisest midwife, Liza Rankow takes our hand and offers practical tools to unlock a courage we did not know we had. The result: a journey into healing, spirituality, and social justice that rebirths the world within us and around us.” — Valarie Kaur, author, See No Stranger and Sage Warrior is an interfaith minister, educator, activist, and author. Her lifework centers the deep healing that is essential to personal and social transformation. Liza is the founder...
info_outline
Philip Connors on The Mountain Knows the Mountain: A Fire Watch Diary
Contemplify
Philip Connors is a fire lookout, essayist, and author of four books. A former journalist at the Wall Street Journal, Connors has been a fire lookout in the Gila National Forest for over twenty years. In our conversation today we focus on his latest book, , the life of a fire lookout, attention and dialogue with place, and I reignite the question I asked him at live reading that has stirred my interior soup for months. I heartily recommend all of Philip Connors’ books, is my favorite. Visit Philip Connors at Visit Contemplify at
info_outline
Anna Tivel on Animal Poem, Short Stories, and Checking Your Shoes
Contemplify
“Through her graceful poetry and pristine instrumentation, the folk singer delivers indictments of modern indignities alongside moments of hope.” — Pitchfork Anna Tivel is an award-winning songwriter and musician from Portland, Oregon. In our conversation we traverse many topics; short stories, poetry, checking for shit on your shoes, and Anna’s latest spellbinding album, . For me, this felt like old friends talking about matters close to the heart despite this being our first real conversation. Anna Tivel is thoughtful, funny, inquisitive, and one of the best working songwriters...
info_outline
Dr. Martin Shaw on Liturgies of the Wild
Contemplify
“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 of The Myth of Normal a writer, mythographer, wilderness guide, and Christian thinker. In our conversation we delve into his latest book, . A book that any personal library would benefit from. Shaw delivers a rousing grasp of the mythic life from a poetic lens of the dream of Christianity. A master storyteller with wit and wisdom, that will have you smiling as resonant...
info_outline
Vision for a New Cabinet by Teddy Macker (Season 7 Trailer)
Contemplify
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 Contemplify had a poet laureate, Teddy would surely be it. So sit back and receive this “” written and read by Teddy Macker. First episode of Season 7 will land in February.
info_outline
The Famous One
Contemplify
Musing on obituaries with your name on it.
info_outline"Dr. B was passionate about expanding our understanding of the Christian contemplative tradition, reminding us that contemplation isn’t the sole domain of those who can retreat to quiet places. She understood, from her own life and from the traditions she carried forward, that contemplative practices must also arise in the midst of struggle, in the heart of communities pressed against the weight of history and oppression. She helped us see that the Christian contemplative tradition, too often framed through a narrow, Eurocentric lens, was far richer and more diverse than we had realized. It’s a tradition that belongs to all of us—and she called us to honor it fully by embracing its breadth and depth"
— Brian McLaren, posted on Center for Action and Contemplation's website
Dr. Barbara Holmes served as president of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, as well as professor of ethics and African American religious studies. She was ordained in the Latter Rain Apostolic Holiness Church in Dallas, Texas, and has privilege of call in the United Church of Christ and recognition of ministerial standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In addition to her work with law firms, Holmes has worked with homeless missions, HIV/AIDS ministries, and international ministries in Kenya (the Presbyterian Church of East Africa) and Japan. The author of numerous books including Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church, Race and the Cosmos, and Crisis Contemplation: Healing the Wounded Village. Holmes earned an MS from Southern Connecticut University, an MDiv from Columbia Theological Seminary, a PhD from Vanderbilt University, and a JD from Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. Dr. B was a Core Faculty member at the Center for Action and Contemplation. Dr. B passed away on October 15, 2024.
In this 2016 episode, Barbara shares about her own contemplative lineage, reflections on the contemplative aspects of the Black Lives Matter movement, the contemplative and social impact of Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé, and her sense of hope in the next generation.
Visit Dr. Barbara Holmes's work at drbarbaraholmes.com and her podcast The Cosmic We.
Visit Dr. B's obituary is here.