Noah Davis on The Last Beast We Revel In
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“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...
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Todd Goddard on Jim Harrison (author of Devouring Time: Jim Harrison, A Writer’s Life)
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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:
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Sasha Waters on Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World
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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...
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Beverly Lanzetta on Birthing a New Mysticism
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“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...
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Dr. Liza J. Rankow on Soul Medicine for a Fractured World
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“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...
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Philip Connors on The Mountain Knows the Mountain: A Fire Watch Diary
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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
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Anna Tivel on Animal Poem, Short Stories, and Checking Your Shoes
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“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...
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Dr. Martin Shaw on Liturgies of the Wild
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“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...
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Vision for a New Cabinet by Teddy Macker (Season 7 Trailer)
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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
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Musing on obituaries with your name on it.
info_outline"…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 instructive for our times. Sr. Laura brings a contagious passion and a catalog of wisdom to the Beguines that I hope seeps into your soul. Can’t wait for you to hear more about the Beguines movement.
Visit Sr. Laura Swan at lauraswanosb.com | YouTube: @BenedictineLauraSwan | Facebook: laura.swan.505
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