Best Unitarian Universalist Podcasts (2024)

1
Re-Imagining the World, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, October 6, 2024 22:15

1h ago22:15

22:15

Pop culture is full of dystopian stories. In a time of climate change, war, and political uncertainty, dystopia feels near at hand. Even as they grapple with the consequences of the suffering and destruction, authors from Octavia Butler to Becky Chambers can help up to imagine a better world. What are the tools of storytelling that might help us im…

1
Salve, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, September 29, 2024 30:53

16h ago30:53

30:53

This sermon podcast begins with a reflection by Chris Russert, worship associate. In 1348, a community of monks in Sienna opened the doors of their abbey to serve as a hospital during the plague. Seven hundred years later, the abbey exists as a picturesque ruin, popular with tourists and filmmakers. What are the risks of hospitality, and why do we …

1
'WHO SEES YOUR GENIUS?' - Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar 23:28

4d ago23:28

23:28

The message was delivered on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. DESCRIPTION: This service explores the importance of embracing our unique "genius"—the individual talents, gifts, and spirit that make each person one-of-a-kind. While society often pushes conformi…

1
The Turbulence of Invitation 24:52

6d ago24:52

24:52

"The Turbulence of Invitation" Sunday, September 29, 2024, 10:50 am Invitation sounds so easy and lovely, but already this month we have unpacked some of both what it opens up for us and what it requires. What about the ways invitations throw the unexpected our way? In ways small and large, it requires courage and bent-knee flexibility and readines…

1
'THE COST OF COMPASSION' - Rev. Randy Lewis 23:15

10d ago23:15

23:15

The message was delivered on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Randy Lewis, Assistant Minister. DESCRIPTION Ever wonder what stories hide behind neglected homes or the faces we avoid at stoplights? This message invites you to look beyond the surface of everyday life and confront the quiet cries fo…

1
Whose Are We? Rev. Lara Cowtan, September 22, 2024 24:36

13d ago24:36

24:36

This sermon podcast begins with a reflection by worship associate Meg Arnosti. The ancient question, “Who am I?” inevitably leads to a deeper one: “Whose am I?” because there is not identity outside of relationship. You cannot be a person by yourself. To ask, “Whose am I?” is to extend the question far beyond the little self-absorbed self, and wond…

1
From a Wave to a Welcome: Invitation as a Spiritual Practice 27:12

13d ago27:12

27:12

“From a Wave to a Welcome: Invitation as a Spiritual Practice” Sunday, September 22, 2024 How do UUs embody the core value of liberating love? Perhaps we commit to “invitation” as a conscious practice, continually inviting new experiences and new ways of being to co-create a better world. This week we’ll consider how an everyday welcome might trans…

1
SERMON: Open Wide the Doors: Rev. Parisa Parsa 19:19

14d ago19:19

19:19

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, September 22, 2024.By Rev. Parisa Parsa

1
'WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?' - Rev. Barbara Prose 23:27

18d ago23:27

23:27

The message was delivered on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Barbara Prose, Guest Minister. DESCRIPTION: This service centers on the theme of personal empowerment and the recognition of one's inherent power. Rev. Barbara Prose shares her own journey of overcoming self-doubt and learning to embra…

1
Who Belongs? Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, September 15, 2024 27:00

20d ago27:00

27:00

This sermon podcast begins with a reflection by worship associate Anna Newton. Unitarian Universalists are rightly proud of width and breadth of our institutional welcome. But who decide who is welcomed? Who belongs? What are the systems that we can either critique or build to deepen our understanding of welcome?…

1
Water Flows Downhill, Rev. Dr. Oscar Sinclair, September 8, 2024 14:56

20d ago14:56

14:56

Rev. Sinclair offers a reflection on belonging, and how we are drawn to faithful life in community, sometimes in spite of ourselves.

1
Invitation to Participate in the Democratic Process 27:56

20d ago27:56

27:56

"Invitation to Participate in the Democratic Process" Sunday, September 15, 2024, 10:50 am How do we as UUs live into our values as we engage the democratic process? How is this a spiritual practice? As we sort through all the chatter, let us find ways to ground ourselves in what we believe to participate in the democratic process intentionally. Re…

1
SERMON: The Selves We Bring Along: Rev. Parisa Parsa 19:59

21d ago19:59

19:59

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, September 15, 2024.By Rev. Parisa Parsa

1
'LOVE BRINGS US HOME' - Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar 20:43

25d ago20:43

20:43

The message was delivered on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. DESCRIPTION: In this service, Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar shares the significance of finding a "third place" in life—a space distinct from home and work where individuals can truly be themselves. Marli…

1
SERMON: To Dwell in Possibility: Rev. Parisa Parsa 15:17

28d ago15:17

15:17

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, September 8, 2024.By Rev. Parisa Parsa

1
'LISTENING TO YOUR LIFE' - Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk 21:27

1M ago21:27

21:27

The message was delivered on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk, Programs Minister. DESCRIPTION: In this service, Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk reflects on her transformative experience at the Subaki Grand Shrine in Japan, focusing on the ritual of sweeping as a metaphor for personal and spir…

1
Labors of Love, Rev. Lara Cowtan, September 1, 2024 28:00

1M ago28:00

28:00

Is making a meal or baking or creating art or music an expression of your love? Let us lift up the many labors that go unsung, the under appreciated and maybe uncompensated work of people for others that enrich our lives in priceless ways. This podcast begins with a reflection by worship associate Lorelee Wederstrom.…

1
SERMON: Open the Door: Art Nava 20:46

1M ago20:46

20:46

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, Sep 1, 2024.By Art Nava

1
Old Ships and New Traditions, Matt Meyer, August 25, 2024 14:41

1M ago14:41

14:41

We’ll explore the depth of tradition and the benefits of renovation through a journey at sea.

1
'AN #'UNFILTERED CONVERSATION' - Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar & Rev. Randy Lewis 38:14

1M ago38:14

38:14

The message was delivered on Sunday, August 25, 2024, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar and Rev. Randy Lewis. DESCRIPTION: In this service, Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar and Rev. Randy Lewis engage in a thoughtful dialogue with the congregation. The discussion touches on a range of topics, including the impact…

1
SERMON: On Purpose: Rebecca Reid 12:59

1M ago12:59

12:59

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, Aug 25, 2024.By Rebecca Reid

1
What's Trust Got to Do with It?, Rev. Karen Hering, August 18, 2024 23:03

1M ago23:03

23:03

In the uncertainties of our times, our mistrust — of the future, of ourselves and one another — might be justified. But we are called, as people of faith in a liberating love, to cultivate greater trust. Let’s explore how to become more trusting and more trustworthy in the face of change. Rev. Karen Hering…

1
'BACK TO SCHOOL- SHOULD BIBLES COME TOO?' - Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar 21:37

2M ago21:37

21:37

The message was delivered on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. DESCRIPTION: This message addresses the recent mandate by Oklahoma's superintendent requiring public schools to include the Bible in their curricula. Rev. Dr. Lavanhar argues that this mandate is unco…

1
SERMON: Befriending Homesickness: kel alford 21:24

2M ago21:24

21:24

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, Aug 18, 2024.By kel alford

1
A Time for Every Single Thing, Rev. Victoria Safford, August 11, 2024 20:00

2M ago20:00

20:00

The life of the spirit is all about triage: attending to this thing and then that thing, each in its time, with care. But the planet spins beneath our feet, sometimes careening wildly, and our days are disjointed and dizzying. When the known world flies apart, what holds you in place? Join us for pancake brunch after the service.…

1
'I AM DEI' - Rev. Randy Lewis 29:08

2M ago29:08

29:08

The message was delivered on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Randy Lewis, Assistant Minister. DESCRIPTION In a world often divided by fear and misunderstanding, we come together to reaffirm the values that unite us and delve deep into the principles of DEI—not as mere buzzwords, but as the essentia…

1
SERMON: Of Brevity, Bloody Shirts, and Pears: Rev. John Gibbons 36:36

2M ago36:36

36:36

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, Aug 11, 2024.By Rev. John Gibbons

1
'WHY ATHEISTS COME TO CHURCH' - Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar 22:02

2M ago22:02

22:02

The message was delivered on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. DESCRIPTION In his thought-provoking message, Reverend Marlin explores the reasons why humanists, atheists, rationalists, agnostics, and many others find a spiritual home at All Souls Unitarian Church.…

1
The Danger of a Single Story, Sara Ford, August 4, 2024 16:54

2M ago16:54

16:54

There were some audio issues with this recording. The audio gets better at the 30 seconds mark. We are all familiar with the story of Henry David Thoreau and his two-year experiment on a plot of land owned by his teacher, Ralph Waldo Emerson. We are less familiar with the story of Harriet Jacobs, Thoreau’s contemporary, who also, alone, entered a s…

1
SERMON: Love Letters for Living: Rev. Ali Jablonsky 21:04

2M ago21:04

21:04

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, Aug 4, 2024.By Rev. Ali Jablonsky

1
'TRIGGER WARNINGS' - Rev. Randy Lewis 28:57

2M ago28:57

28:57

The message was delivered on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Randy Lewis, Assistant Minister. DESCRIPTION In a world filled with divisive triggers, we are inviting you to embrace peace, understanding, and compassion. Rev. Randy Lewis explores how we can transform moments of conflict into opportunitie…

1
Queer Migration, Rev. Laura Smidzik, July 28, 2024 29:38

2M ago29:38

29:38

As hostile laws are adopted across the county, queer families and individuals are making their way to states like Minnesota. We will paint a picture of what is happening, how Unitarian Universalists are connected, and supporting the effort to find safety and sanctuary for those who are migrating to Minnesota.…

1
SERMON: Second Tour: Pat Scanlon 30:27

2M ago30:27

30:27

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, July 28, 2024.By Pat Scanlon

1
The Road to Joy, Sara Ford, Kevin Ward, Jess Goff, Sunday, July 21, 2024 36:45

2M ago36:45

36:45

This service begins with a reflection by Sara Ford followed by Kevin Ward and Jess Goff. What happens when a book changes your life? You buy copies for your friends? Or maybe you talk about it in a summer service. In 2016, the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu wrote The Book of Joy. Some of their ideas are weird and unattainable (like — Can yo…

1
'21ST CENTURY SPIRITUALITY' - Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk 21:17

2M ago21:17

21:17

The message was delivered on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk, Guest Minister. DESCRIPTION: This message explores the transcendentalist ideas of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Howard Thurman, focusing on their spiritual connection to nature. Emerson emphasized the divine presence in nature, c…

1
SERMON: Weightlessness: Rich Abreu 18:25

3M ago18:25

18:25

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, July 21, 2024.By Rich Abreu

1
Hoy por ti, mañana por mí /Today you, tomorrow me, Rev. Lara Cowtan, July 14, 2024 29:05

3M ago29:05

29:05

This sermon podcast begins with a reflection by worship associate Chris Russert. In a consumer society focused on limited resources and rugged individualism, many are left feeling estranged from one another and numb. How might we move from a culture of scarcity towards abundance, understanding the power of sharing, and embracing our human vulnerabi…

1
'AI: HACKED HUMANITY' - Rev. Randy Lewis 22:49

3M ago22:49

22:49

The message was delivered on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Randy Lewis, Assistant Minister. DESCRIPTION: This sermon explores the evolving relationship between humanity and technology. We discuss the impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on society, emphasizing the potential benefits and risks. T…

1
SERMON: Reflections on Change: Lucy Humphrey 14:34

3M ago14:34

14:34

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, Jul 14, 2024.By Lucy Humphrey

1
'WHO GETS TO TELL THE AMERICAN STORY?' - Rev. Gerald L. Davis 27:29

3M ago27:29

27:29

The message was delivered on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Gerald L. Davis, Affiliate Minister. DESCRIPTION: This message emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and understanding across diverse backgrounds, advocating for collective action to overcome challenges and create a better world. Rev. Dav…

1
Spiritual Practices and Climate Justice 30:36

3M ago30:36

30:36

"Spiritual Practices and Climate Justice" Sunday, July 7, 10:50 am, 2024 "We can never return to innocence, but we can move forward with integrity." - Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman The 20th-century spiritual leader, Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman, loved San Francisco. A mentor to Martin Luther King, Jr., and Pauli Murray, Thurman found in this city a special dy…

1
Encountering Herr Buber and Mr. Douglass, LauraSue Schlatter, July 7, 2024 22:58

3M ago22:58

22:58

What does it mean to have a conversation or an encounter with another human that invites the divine into relationship? When we talk about “going deep quickly” and knowing each other “in all our fullness,” what do we mean? Why are these things important? And what do Herr Buber and Mr. Douglass have to teach us about all this?…

1
SERMON: A Great Mystery: Roddy Emley 15:28

3M ago15:28

15:28

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, July 7, 2024.By Roddy Emley

1
'HERETICS & HYPOCRITES' - Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar 23:23

3M ago23:23

23:23

The message was delivered on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. DESCRIPTION: Today's sermon reflects on the journey from seeking universal approval to embracing the unique perspectives and beliefs that define individuality. It highlights the value of diversity withi…

1
Radical Rethinking of God: God is Queer 30:36

3M ago30:36

30:36

"Radical Rethinking of God: God is Queer" Sunday, June 30, 10:50 am, 2024 On this Pride Weekend, we will dive into Queer Theology: What does it have to say about the nature of God and of the holy? Why is that important for all of us? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Carmen Barsody, Wo…

1
Spiders in the Moss, Nelson Moroukian, June 30, 2024 21:24

3M ago21:24

21:24

This sermon podcast begins with a reflection by worship associate Caswell Burr. There is a great, interconnected web of existence, a great and entrancing mystery, and we are starting to see more of the effects of our neglect for that interdependence. How can our UU faith and principles help guide us through the growing imperative to change our rela…

1
SERMON: Walking Backwards: Marie O'Brien 19:43

3M ago19:43

19:43

Recorded live at Arlington Street Church, Sunday, Jun 30, 2024.By Marie O'Brien

1
Accidental Blessings: What Remains, Rev. Kathleen Rolenz, June 23, 2024 24:14

3M ago24:14

24:14

This Sunday reflects on the milestone events since Rev. Kathleen’s arrival at Unity Church in September 2022: successes, missed opportunities and work that is still in the making.

1
'WALKING IN THEIR TRANS SHOES' - Rev. Randy Lewis 25:23

3M ago25:23

25:23

The message was delivered on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Randy Lewis, Assistant Minister. DESCRIPTION: In this thought-provoking Pride Month sermon, titled "Walking In Their Trans Shoes," Rev. Lewis explores the courage it takes for transgender individuals to live openly in a society that often d…

1
Harmony Unveiled: The Secret Music of the Renaissance 1:01:30

3M ago1:01:30

1:01:30

"Harmony Unveiled: The Secret Music of the Renaissance" Sunday, June 23, 10:50 am, 2024 "Bigger" Music Sunday is thrilled to present "Harmony Unveiled: The Secret Music of the Renaissance," a mesmerizing service full of vocal and instrumental masterpieces sung by Areté Singers, an East Bay ensemble renowned for their innovative vocal performances. …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Unitarian Universalist Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide