In our fast-paced world, how can we cultivate a sense of wonder and open ourselves to the possibility of joy, even amidst life's inevitable hardships? In this episode, we're joined by Christian Wiman as we continue our chapter-by-chapter exploration of Falling Upward with Chapter 10: "A Bright Sadness." In this conversation with Christian Wiman, we explore how suffering and joy can coexist and transform us through a poetic experience of Christianity. Before we dive in to the interview with...

How can we transform our understanding of life and self to cultivate a deeper sense of acceptance, letting go, and a "Second Simplicity" in the face of life's inevitable challenges? In this episode, we're joined by Carmen Acevedo Butcher as we continue our chapter-by-chapter exploration of Falling Upward with Chapter 9: "A Second Simplicity." In this conversation, Carmen offers thoughts on her shifting practice of contemplative stillness—depending on her stage of life. It’s something she...

What if heaven and hell were both present—right now?  In this episode, we're joined by The Very Rev. Michael Battle as we continue our chapter-by-chapter exploration of Falling Upward with Chapter 8: "Amnesia and the Big Picture." In this episode, we explore the suffering we experience when we believe we’re separated from God and how this chapter, “Amnesia and the Big Picture” helps us to see how our approach to life can change when we realize we are worthy of love—right here, right...

What if we could feel at home wherever we are? In this episode, we're joined by James Finley as we continue our chapter-by-chapter exploration of Falling Upward with Chapter 7: "Home and Homesickness." In this episode, we discuss a lifelong exploration of contemplation, healing, and facing the challenges of our times through a lens of love and finding "home" in a challenging world . Before we dive in to the interview with Jim, CAC staff catch up with Richard at his hermitage to hear his...

What if the goal of the spiritual journey is to understand suffering?  In this episode, we're joined by Mirabai Starr as we continue our chapter-by-chapter exploration of Falling Upward with Chapter 6: "Necessary Suffering." This episode explores how loss, suffering, and grief can be a transformative spiritual path, leading to deeper connection with the divine and a more authentic self, by urging us to confront pain and surrender to a greater reality. Before we dive in to the interview with...

How do we meet life on its terms instead of ours? In this episode, we're joined by Paula D'Arcy as we continue our chapter-by-chapter exploration of Falling Upward with Chapter 5: "Stumbling Over the Stumbling Stone." We're exploring what it can look like to venture into the luminous dark to find our greatest gifts with a chapter that asks us to lean into our feelings of devastation and loss when life doesn’t go our way. Before we dive in to the interview with Paula, CAC staff catch up with...

In this episode, we're joined by Kate Bowler, PhD. as we continue our chapter-by-chapter exploration of Falling Upward with Chapter 4: "The Tragic Sense of Life." Kate, along with Richard and CAC staff delve into the flaws of the prosperity gospel as well as the importance of finding meaning in suffering. We explore the ways in which love and suffering intertwine, urging honesty during life's hardships, and celebrate the power of community, especially its irreplaceable gift of "unchosen"...

"God gives us something better than answers, God gives us people." - Erin Sanzero, our guest today, on the path of falling upward during the first half of life.  In this episode, we're joined by Erin Sanzero as we continue our chapter-by-chapter exploration of Falling Upward with Chapter 3: "The First Half of Life." Erin, alongside CAC staff, explore the complexities of the first half of life and the wisdom unveiled during the transition to the second half of life. Together, they reflect on...

What if loss invited us on a voyage?  In this episode, we're joined by Kirsten Oates and Patrick Boland as we continue our chapter-by-chapter exploration with Chapter 2: "The Hero and Heroine's Journey." Patrick Boland and Kirsten Oates, cohost of our sister podcast, Turning to the Mystics, join CAC staff, for a heartfelt conversation. Together, they explore the transformative power of the hero's journey. They talk about the role it plays in our personal growth, emphasizing how embracing...

Welcome to the first episode of Everything Belongs, a new season covering the work of Richard Rohr’s newly revised version of Falling Upward. In this episode, we're joined by Brenè Brown to kick off our chapter-by-chapter exploration, starting with Chapter 1: "The Two Halves of Life." Together, with Richard Rohr and CAC Staff, they explore the concept of the two halves of life and how Brené has navigated these teachings from the context of her own lived experience, both personally and...

"Maybe we should just call this book Tips for the Road, a sort of roadside assistance program." - Richard Rohr, Falling Upward, pg. xv Introduction In the final episode of this mini-series, we are giving you a test drive for how an episode will look and feel, with the commentary and banter of the architects behind it from a production and pedagogical standpoint. We thought, what better way to do this than with the introduction to the book of our first season, Falling Upward. Resources: The...

In this episode, we distill Richard Rohr's teaching philosophy into three animating questions: What do we want to know? How do we want to grow? How do we want to show up in our lives and in the world? These questions serve as foundational guides for embodying incarnational mysticism in our own unique contexts. Join us in Richard's living room as Mike explores these questions with him, while Corey impresses with his Scripture references. Richard's legacy as a spiritual teacher inspires fuller...

What is the role of teachers and students on the spiritual path?  In this episode, we explore Richard Rohr's evolving role as a spiritual teacher at the CAC, as he gracefully steps back to join the Core Faculty. With Opie by his side and church bells ringing, Richard's infectious smile sets the tone for a conversation that connects us all in the spirit of generosity. We also delve into Brian McLaren's extraordinary vision as the new Dean of Faculty, and hear from Gigi Ross, who brings wisdom...

Our introductory mini-series continues! Episode two finds us back in Richard’s living room, picking up where we left off and widening the conversation to Richard’s transition from the teacher in the spotlight at the CAC to joining the circle of teachers and a staff being empowered to carry these teachings forward alongside all of you listening. We also talk about how the CAC’s evolution as an organization — with all its gifts, foibles, and growing edges — can serve the world in supporting...

Everything Belongs is a show about living the teachings of Richard Rohr forward, co-creating a world where everyone and everything belongs. On future seasons, we'll be making our way through Richard's major teachings. But in this inaugural mini-series, we're focusing on laying the foundations for those seasons by catching up with Richard and various staff members at the Center for Action and Contemplation to gain an understanding for how the CAC is evolving as we water the roots of Richard’s...