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.
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The Famous One
Contemplify
Musing on obituaries with your name on it.
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Remembering Lerita Coleman Brown on Waiting for a Word in the Heart
Contemplify
Remembering Lerita Coleman Brown
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Stay Outside (or Non-Liturgical Liturgical Calendar Musing)
Contemplify
Musing on my personal non-liturgical liturgical calendar that runs from December 11 - December 10 each calendar year.
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Gail Straub on Embracing Our Human Family
Contemplify
"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 . This is Gail's second time on Contemplify (hear our first conversation ), and like our previous conversation we find the heart of the conversation in the flow of presence in the sacred. The writing of Gail Straub inspires me to...
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Mark Longhurst on The Holy Ordinary
Contemplify
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 , 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 gladly open portals to the sacred. The Holy Ordinary is for all of us mudblood mystics out in the world. Visit Mark Longhrust at | IG: Visit for shownotes.
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Haleh Liza Gafori Brings Water to the Thirsty
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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 , a luminous collection of new translations from the 13th-century Persian mystic Rumi, following her acclaimed debut (you can find in the Contemplify archives). I am moved by Haleh's ability to make these masterworks sing, bringing Rumi's timeless wisdom about surrender, divine love, and ecological awakening to this moment. Visit Haleh Liza Gafori at | IG: visit for shownotes
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Contemplative Parenting with Aizaiah G. Yong and Nereyda Yong
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“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 Day Rev. Dr. Aizaiah G. Yong and Rev. Nereyda “Neddy” Yong, authors,...
info_outline![[Rebroadcast] Dr. Larry Ward on America's Racial Karma, the Fragrance of Wisdom, and Learning How To Suffer Less show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/192825875?height=50&width=50)
[Rebroadcast] Dr. Larry Ward on America's Racial Karma, the Fragrance of Wisdom, and Learning How To Suffer Less
Contemplify
This is a repost of my conversation with Dr. Larry Ward. Dr. Ward passed away on August 19 at his home in Rhode Island. He was a Buddhist teacher, author, and co-founder of . He left behind a legacy of peace and advocacy for healing individual and collective trauma. I only ever interacted with Dr. Ward online, but his big soul, wisdom, and laughter came through with so much heart. My daughter and I tuned into his online memorial which held his spirit… we joined in the prayers and listened to the stories from his students, friends, and loved ones, it impacted us both. Dr. Ward’s wife and...
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Amy Frykholm on Journey to the Wild Heart
Contemplify
“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 (, ) to talk about her latest book . Amy is an award-winning writer, scholar, and journalist whose work insightfully explores American religion and culture. Her debut novel has been long-listed for the 2025...
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.