Prolificate

Blurring the lines between sacred and secular. Explorations of hope, inspiration from all religions, without dogma, shame, or judgment.

99.39 - The Key to Ecstasy 05/10/2020

99.39 - The Key to Ecstasy Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual guide for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning. Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from ALL the world’s religions to help us make sense of our lives. ************* From this episode: "...even in the midst of despair, with this key, we can awaken to love and ecstasy. What's that about? Love and ecstasy? I gotta admit that those aren't words I use very often... and in the midst of despair? Come on. But what if that really is what it's all about? Being able to expand ourselves - to stretch our own beings enough to be able to hold those two extremes at the same time. Love - even the ecstasy kind of love, right their with despair. At.The.Same.Time." ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. Find me on Twitter or Instagram or send me an email at /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/14354054

99.38 - He Made Me Do it! 03/17/2020

99.38 - He Made Me Do it! Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual coach for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning. Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from ALL the world’s religions to help us make sense of our lives. ************* I’m a minister and - One of the things I hate most about religions is how they get used to justify hurtful actions and words. An example: “Why did this bad thing happen to me?” or “why is this innocent person suffering so much?” You might hear “oh they didn’t lead a good enough life – or they’re being punished for this or that.” I think that’s just plain wrongheaded. Even more, I think it’s a lazy or cowardly way to hide from the difficult truths that find us – all of us – at one time or another as human beings. Let's explore this a little, shall we? ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. Find me on Twitter or Instagram or send me an email at /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/13585850

99.37 WTF? - Wasn't That Fascinating? 12/18/2019

99.37 WTF? - Wasn't That Fascinating? Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual coach for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning. Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from this and ALL the world’s traditions to help us make sense of our lives. ************* This week, we explore what it would be like if we each had a guardian to keep us safe through life's bumps and bruises - and then we discover that we actually DO have access to this kind of protection. Learn how to say WTF? (Wasn't That Fascinating?) as a tool to tap in to this inner guidance. ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. Find me on Twitter or Instagram or send me an email at /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/12457505

99.36 Why You Should Sometimes Welcome Dying 08/23/2019

99.36 Why You Should Sometimes Welcome Dying Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual coach for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning. Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from ALL the world’s religions to help us make sense of our lives. ************* This episode, we're talking about the divine name, Ya Mumit which means literally "the one who brings death." Now before you click skip on the audio recording, or head over to Netflix because death is off limits, I want you to know that I'm a happy guy! I'm actually full of joy right now as I share this. And part of that reason is because of what I learned (from dying people) in that hospital. ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. Find me on Twitter or Instagram or send me an email at /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/10975130

Meet Ann Marie Coletta - of Raising Sparks Interfaith Street Ministry 05/25/2019

Meet Ann Marie Coletta - of Raising Sparks Interfaith Street Ministry Welcome to another special Interview Episode of Prolificate where we get to hear from Ann Marie Coletta, the fierce and authentic founder of Raising Sparks Interfaith Ministry in one of San Francisco’s toughest neighborhoods, The Tenderloin. Ann Marie is one of the most moving interviews I’ve done, and for good reason. She has a way of sharing her experiences – which are incredible and can be a little scary – with a gentleness and care that’s unlike anyone you’ll ever meet. If you want to connect with Raising Sparks, you can find their website (coming soon at the time I’m writing this) at . Their phone number is (415) 933 5955 or email /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/9918260

99.35 Your Life is This Book 05/24/2019

99.35 Your Life is This Book Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual coach for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning. Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from ALL the world’s religions to help us make sense of our lives. ************* What if instead of looking to someone or someTHING else to complete you, you started to assume that you were actually amazing? What if you just don't know it yet? What if you discover that everyone has some parts of themselves that aren't welcome? ... And what if you started to invite ALL of you to participate in life? ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. Find me on Twitter or Instagram or send me an email at /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/9904940

99.34 Forgive Yourself Before it's Too Late 05/17/2019

99.34 Forgive Yourself Before it's Too Late Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual coach for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning. Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from ALL the world’s religions to help us make sense of our lives. ************* A Sufi Holy man was asked what forgiveness is. He said, "It is the fragrance that flowers give when they are crushed." This episode, our topic is forgiveness. Specifically, At Tawwab...the forgiveness that enables you to let go of grudges. The forgiveness that isn't about endorsing bad behavior of others, but rather, it's about releasing yourself from being bound up in those actions. I have worked with people who are dying and one of the things that comes up most is forgiveness. People wish they'd asked for it from those they hurt sooner. They wish they'd forgiven others sooner. What are you carrying that weighs you down? What if you released it right now? Let's explore... ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. Find me on Twitter or Instagram or send me an email at /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/9802037

99.33 The Advice you would give yourself 05/03/2019

99.33 The Advice you would give yourself Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual coach for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning. Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from ALL the world’s religions to help us make sense of our lives. ************* If "today you" would reassure "younger you" that (even though life would be hard, and things would hurt,) it’d be okay anyway…. THAT is Ya Latif. I bring you the words of the prophet Lionel. Why in the world would anybody put chains on me. I've paid my dues to make it. Everybody wants me to be what they want me to be I'm not happy when I try to fake it. That's why I'm easy...like Sunday morning. ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. Please support us at . Find me on Twitter or Instagram or send me an email at /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/9646304

99.32 What Life Story Are You Writing? 04/26/2019

99.32 What Life Story Are You Writing? Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual coach for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning. Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from ALL the world’s religions to help us make sense of our lives. ************* This week, the name is one of the most famous ones – Ar Rahman. It means endless love. (I know… great song by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross). No matter what you’ve been through, no matter what the story that your life has written so far. Part of that story has always been love – and will always be love. ************** What do you think? I'd love to hear from you with questions, or story ideas. You can find all my links at or just send me an email: /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/9522779

99.31- Donuts for Your Soul 04/19/2019

99.31- Donuts for Your Soul Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual coach for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning. Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from ALL the world’s religions to help us make sense of our lives. ************* Do you have one of those people in your life who will sit you down when you need it? I didn't think I did until one day, he sat me down and said, "Andy, in Spanish, we have this saying called Cura da Alma.... care of the soul. How are you caring for your soul?" Physically, our bodies need nourishment with decent sustenance. Sure, a trip to the donut shop is tasty (and I'm a big fan of donut shops), but we both know that isn't sustenance. You eat like that regularly, you begin to live with a body that is perpetually unwell. What my mentor was saying was akin to that. If you live your life habitually feeding your soul with junk, you will get soul-sick. ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. Find me on Twitter or Instagram or send me an email at /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/9449876

99.30 The One Thing to Remember When Life Gets Tough 04/12/2019

99.30 The One Thing to Remember When Life Gets Tough Host Andrew Chirch is an Interfaith minister and spiritual coach for real people like you. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning. Each week, we meet up for 9-minutes to explore teachings from ALL the world’s religions to help us make sense of our lives. ************* This week's topic, based off the divine name Ya-Majid, is all about divine super-abundance. It's about both being blessed with a gift - AND - this full-body sense of awareness of that blessing. "...the kind of awareness that pervades your whole being. As if you're a sponge and you're drinking up this warm, sweet water that permeates you every. which. way." ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. Find me on Twitter or Instagram or send me an email at /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/9367148

99.29 Wake Up to the Abundance All Around You! 04/05/2019

99.29 Wake Up to the Abundance All Around You! "The abundance of the harvest can be seen at the bottom of the well." /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/9278519

Notes from the Field - Elation and Disappointment 03/31/2019

Notes from the Field - Elation and Disappointment This was a rough day for me. One of my favorite patients was dying, which led me to realize that I have favorite patients, which I haven't given myself permission to have. /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/9213938

99.28 Rediscovering God through Your Desire 03/29/2019

99.28 Rediscovering God through Your Desire Ya Wadud translates as Divine love. To me, this kind of love is the most powerful, least disguised, and even a little scary. /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/9181124

99.27 - How to Never Run Out of Love 03/22/2019

99.27 - How to Never Run Out of Love This week's episode gets its start from the qualities behind the word, Al Mu'izz, and I'm using a translation of that word that means something like "giver of praise or self-esteem." It's one of the 99 names of the divine and it's talking about a quality of G-d that gives us self-esteem. /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/9099491

99.26 Some Advice from Job about your Suffering 03/15/2019

99.26 Some Advice from Job about your Suffering This week's message is just for you if you've ever wondered why bad things happen to good people. /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/9010808

99.25 The Antidote for your inner critic 03/08/2019

99.25 The Antidote for your inner critic 99.25: This week we're talking about the Forgiver.... From one of the Arabic names for the Divine - Ya Ghaffar. /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/8919995

Ashes Dust Tears and Laughter 03/02/2019

Ashes Dust Tears and Laughter This week, I started an intense experience as a Chaplain Intern at a local hospital. Some observations based on this powerful, intense experience. or email me your thoughts at /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/8849678

99.24 - The ONE person you must meet 03/01/2019

99.24 - The ONE person you must meet Host Andrew Chirch is an interfaith student, coach, and ministers to the Non-Religious, skeptics, and doubters. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning. ************* Think of a moment when you were confident, kind, poised and you were in the zone. Have you located that feeling? Ok. Hold on to it. Now if you can, I invite you to bring back a painful moment - maybe the worst thing that has ever happened to you... but be gentle with yourself. Only what you feel you can handle. Now almost like these two feelings are two separate people, or two versions of you.... I invite you to introduce them to each other. ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. One of those people – is you. – and 99 is a weekly 9-minute spiritual practice designed to challenge you, just the right amount, and remind you to take care of yourself. Illuminating the world is hard work, so we need you whole. Find me on Twitter or Instagram or send me an email at [email protected] /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/8829086

99.23 - Tending the Garden of your Soul 02/22/2019

99.23 - Tending the Garden of your Soul Host Andrew Chirch is an interfaith student, coach, and ministers to the Non-Religious, skeptics, and doubters. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning. ************* Today's subject comes from a word that in the Arabic, I'm told, means inner knowledge - the kind that comes from cultivation. How long since you have been in the garden of your soul? How is it? Overworked and exhausted? Wild and overgrown with brambles? Lush and green with new life? All the little deaths and big ones you have suffered were not in vain. They're there in your garden—slowly decomposing into their component parts so something amazing can grow. ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. One of those people – is you. – and 99 is a weekly 9-minute spiritual practice designed to challenge you, just the right amount, and remind you to take care of yourself. Illuminating the world is hard work, so we need you whole. Find me on Twitter or Instagram or send me an email at . /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/8738960

99.22 - Patience of an Ant 02/15/2019

99.22 - Patience of an Ant Host Andrew Chirch is an interfaith student, coach, and ministers to the Non-Religious, skeptics, and doubters. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning. ************* From this episode: What if we're always striving for change and setting goals - all the while, we're missing the point? What if all this scurrying about like ants is at the root of our suffering? Henry David Thoreau said, "It's not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?" What are YOU busy about? ************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. One of those people – is you. – and 99 is a weekly 9-minute spiritual practice designed to challenge you, just the right amount, and remind you to take care of yourself. Illuminating the world is hard work, so we need you whole. Find me on Twitter or Instagram or send me an email at . /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/8655683

99: #21 - Kindness like Dumbledore 02/08/2019

99: #21 - Kindness like Dumbledore If you’re faced with a big decision, one of those life’s questions that feels a little scary, or want to unpack your own spiritual path, I offer coaching and guidance at Prolificate.com/guide. ********* From this episode: I'm speaking to the part of you that is lonely. The part you don't let anyone see because it's just too painful. What would it be like if you could bring your whole self out of the darkness and into the light? What would it be like for ALL of you to be out in the open? What would it be like to be loved unconditionally? That's where we're going today on our journey. Holy WOW. What would that be like? How amazing? I'm getting chills just thinking about a love so big, so pervasive, that says, "You're human.... there is nothing a human can do, think, or say that diminishes you." The kind of love and kindness that Dumbledore brings when he shows up in Harry Potter. ********* Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. One of those people – is you. – and 99 is a weekly 9-minute spiritual practice designed to challenge you, just the right amount, and remind you to take care of yourself. Illuminating the world is hard work, so we need you whole. Find me on Twitter or Instagram @Prolificate or send me an email at [email protected]. /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/8562020

99: #20 - Safety Trust Confidence and Security 02/01/2019

99: #20 - Safety Trust Confidence and Security If you’re faced with a big decision, one of those life’s questions that feels a little scary, or want to unpack your own spiritual path, I am offering a limited number of coaching sessions at . ********* Lately, I've been spending time trying to understand the difference between comfort and safety - which is the topic for our time together today. Safety, Trust, Confidence, and Security. Where does it come from? What does it mean? Is anyone *ever* really safe? As an interfaith chaplain, part of my job is to accompany people from all faiths- and no faith at all - in some scary situations... It's a reminder of just how UNsafe some people are - and of the comparative luxury I have most of the time. One thing that never fails to surprise me — some folks who seem the *least* safe... people who have seen hard things, lived through tough experiences... are sometimes the most serene, calm, patient people I've ever met. I hope we both remember that we're in this together... we can actually *create* a world with more safety, trust, confidence, and security just by reminding each other. ********* Prolificate.com is where I write, podcast, and talk about people & ideas that illuminate the world. One of those people – is you. – and 99 is a weekly 9-minute spiritual practice designed to challenge you, just the right amount, and remind you to take care of yourself. Illuminating the world is hard work, so we need you whole. Find me on Twitter or Instagram or send me an email at . /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/8474102

99: #19 Steps: Too Big, Too Small, Just Right 01/25/2019

99: #19 Steps: Too Big, Too Small, Just Right If you’re faced with a big decision, one of those life’s questions that feels a little scary, or want to unpack your own spiritual path, I am offering a limited number of coaching sessions at . ********* Are you impatient sometimes? Do you look to the future as the solution to your problems? (Like I sometimes do). The theme for our time together today is steps - as in the kind it takes to make progress. Here's something Dr. King said on the subject: “If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run, then walk, if you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” Let's talk about what steps you're taking, what steps you're avoiding, and how to find the "just right" steps for you. ********* Prolificate.com is where I write, podcast, and talk about people & ideas that illuminate the world. One of those people – is you. – and 99 is a weekly 9-minute spiritual practice designed to challenge you, just the right amount, and remind you to take care of yourself. Illuminating the world is hard work, so we need you whole. Find me on Twitter or Instagram or send me an email at . /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/8384255

99: #18 - What are you waiting to create? 01/18/2019

99: #18 - What are you waiting to create? If you’re faced with a big decision, one of those life’s questions that feels a little scary, or want to unpack your own spiritual path, I am offering a limited number of coaching sessions at . ********* Do you want to know what Maya Angelou, the great poet, says about you? She said, "...we are all created creative and we can invent new scenarios as frequently as they are needed." Did you hear that? Maya Angelou, one of the greatest minds of all time, Poet Laureate of the United States, says that YOU are creative! ********* Prolificate.com is where I write, podcast, and talk about people & ideas that illuminate the world. One of those people – is you. – and 99 is a weekly 9-minute spiritual practice designed to challenge you, just the right amount, and remind you to take care of yourself. Illuminating the world is hard work, so we need you whole. Find me on Twitter or Instagram or send me an email at . /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/8299787

99: #17 - Our Power and Our Privilege 01/11/2019

99: #17 - Our Power and Our Privilege Have you ever heard the saying, "there are no mistakes." Or put another way, "there's a reason for everything." I'm of two minds when it comes to this episode's theme, which is, the all-powerful force that puts you in a certain place at a certain time, and has you facing whatever it is that you're facing. I'll be honest. Sometimes these words have been comforting to me. As I face the loss of a job or an unexpected hardship, telling myself that "everything happens for a reason" takes me off the hook a little bit and allows me to relax. After all, I'm a big fan of Taoist and Hindu beliefs that (I think), encourage me to relax and not fight so much against what's happening, but to find a way to work WITH the flow of things. Maybe not give up, but to find some sense of harmony in what's going on - like swimming with a river instead of against it. ********* Prolificate.com is where I write, podcast, and talk about people & ideas that illuminate the world. One of those people – is you. – and 99 is a weekly 9-minute spiritual practice designed to challenge you, just the right amount, and remind you to take care of yourself. Illuminating the world is hard work, so we need you whole. Find me on Twitter or send me an email at . /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/8216354

99: #16 - The ONE Thing You Can Really Control 01/04/2019

99: #16 - The ONE Thing You Can Really Control What is your biggest wish? Go ahead, think for a second. I'll wait. Now, if someone who knows you well wrote your obituary today, would anything about that wish be in there? The kind of wishes we're talking about today are the kind that you'd probably want to show up there. ********* Prolificate.com is where I write, podcast, and talk about people & ideas that illuminate the world. One of those people – is you. – and 99 is a weekly 9-minute spiritual practice designed to challenge you, just the right amount, and remind you to take care of yourself. Illuminating the world is hard work, so we need you whole. Find me on Twitter or send me an email at . /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/8096555

99: #15 - Joy amid Pain 12/28/2018

99: #15 - Joy amid Pain The theme for this episode is ecstasy, joy and expansiveness... I love joy. And let's face it, ecstasy is in a league of its own... expansiveness, yes, please. Well, sometimes, things don't go the way we think they "should." As it turns out, I've missed a week of 99 because I've been sick and just couldn't record until now. I'm trying not to be too hard on myself - after all, I could barely stand for ten days. As it turns out, the kind of ecstasy and joy and expansiveness that is our theme IS actually there... all the time. What I found was, even though I was feeling miserable, joy wasn't gone. /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/8054156

99: Solstice Greetings from the Sofa 12/21/2018

99: Solstice Greetings from the Sofa Hello friend. This is Andrew Chirch, host of Prolificate and the podcast series called 99: a Journey. 99 normally comes out each week on Friday, but I’m currently under the weather and not yet able to get an episode out. In the meantime, I want you to know that I’m thinking about you as I record this on the shortest day of the year while laid out flat on the sofa. While I’m looking forward to the next steps on my journey, I’m also reminded by this illness to find meaning in the current place I’m in. It’s funny how things work, because the upcoming episode is all about things like ecstasy, expansiveness, and transcendent joy. As you might guess, the word “joy” isn’t exactly top of mind right, now…. but… part of me knows that just because I can’t find it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. I promise I’ll get the next episode published as soon as I can. Until then, maybe you can help me with some examples. What are some hard-to-find blessings or bits of joy in your own life? Be well, my friend. /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/8009066

99 #14 - Unity 12/14/2018

99 #14 - Unity One of our great struggles as humans is how tribal we are. We were born to be in relationship with each other... we need to belong. That's all well and good until there are so many of us that we can't possibly know everyone. That's where labels come in - and where it goes wrong for many of us. This week is a call back to what we have in common. our Unity. - or go to Prolificate.com/99/14 /episode/index/show/prolificate/id/7911266

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