Writer and editor Julia Roller joins Nate to talk about how God uses books to guide us into transforming ideas and encounters and shares about the book that changed her life. Julia Roller is an author and editor living in San Diego, CA with her husband and three children. She is also the MomCo Coordinator at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church…

Deep relationships take time. Renovaré board and ministry team member Margaret Campbell shares with Nate what she's learned through the years about the slow and beautiful unfolding of true friendships — with people and with God.By Renovaré

Joe Davis and Nick Page have been friends for over 30 years and co-host The Mid-Faith Crisis Podcast. They share with Nate about disagreement as a productive part of friendship and faith that helps us work through concepts that impact our ability to love God and others. Show Notes The Mid-Faith Crisis Podcast Some of Nick’s Books Nick Page on micro…

South African Spiritual Director Adri-Marie van Heerden talks with Nate about making friends cross-culturally, the need for humility, and learning to see others as God sees us — with great regard. Adri-Marie's organization is called Tending the Fire. You can contact her at a3mvanheerden@gmail.com.By Renovaré

Nathan talks with prison chaplain John Paul Westin about the penitentiary as parish and learning to see each person there as God's "friends and special ones." Show Notes A few annotated book suggestions from John Paul: Cur Deus Homo — Anselm of Canterbury thinks about why God needed/chose to become human. The 3 Colors of Community, Christian A. Sch…

Audrey Elledge and Elizabeth Moore, authors of Liturgies for Wholeness, join Nate to talk about the formational power of liturgy and friendship. Friendship is a relational connection point many people struggle with, but it's a grand invitation into deeper relationship with God. —Nathan Foster Show Notes Books by Elizabeth Moore and Audrey Elledge L…

This meditation by Nathan Foster on Luke 22 invites us to the Mount of Olives where Jesus prayed “let this cup pass from me.”By Renovaré

Trevor Hudson shares reflections on the influence that Desmond Tutu had on his life — as a friend, colleague, cellmate, and “contemplative in action.” Show Notes Desmond Tutu's Nobel Prize biography page Made for Goodness by Desmond Tutu Books by Trevor Hudson Other Episodes With This Guest Ep 47: Trevor Hudson — Friendship with God Ep 73: Trevor H…

“We enriched each other.” Luci Shaw speaks with Nate about her rich friendship with Madeleine L'Engle and how they made one another better writers and better followers of Jesus. Show Notes + Transcript Nate: Lucy, we get to talk about your friend today. How did you first come to meet Madeline? Luci: Well, Madeleine and I met originally at Wheaton C…

Amisho “Sho” Baraka joins Nate for a fascinating conversation about George Washington Carver — a man whose faith directed his genius toward the good of others. Resources The Man Who Talks with the Flowers: The Intimate Life Story of Dr. George Washington Carver, by Glenn Clark Essential Writings of the American Black Church, by John Hunt Tuskegee U…

Pastor and author Andrew Arndt talks with Nathan Foster about how the stories and examples of the desert fathers and mothers move from exhaustion, burnout, and pain into a more vibrant faith.By Renovaré

Mimi Dixon shares how the life and words of Catherine Doherty—a pioneer for interracial justice and mentor to Thomas Merton—helped her to return to her first love. Resources Poustinia, by Catherine Doherty Catherine Doherty writes about prayer and sacraments as ways to welcome and know the presence of God in “First Meet God” Luminous Lives, a Renov…

Matthew Clark joined Nate in-person to tape this week's podcast conversation on the topic of truth — truthful storytelling, truthful music, true relationships and true worship. Visit Matthew Clark's website. Books by Matthew Clark Tale of Two Trees Only The Lover Sings Find Matthew's music on Spotify and Apple Matthew's Podcast — One Thousand Words…

Printmaker Sally Kendrick talks with Nate about the creative act of finding and printing specimens from nature as a way of cultivating "openness to the presence of God and willingness to receive the love of God." Sally Kendrick is a Maryland-based photographer with Carolina roots. She began experimenting with cyanotypes as a way of cultivating a ha…

Sarah Clarkson spoke with Nathan Foster from her home in the UK about her experiences with grief and fear and the way God has been restoring faith, hope, and love in her life through the gift of beauty. Sarah's Website: https://sarahclarkson.com Books by Sarah: This Beautiful Truth: How God's Goodness Breaks into Our Darkness Book Girl: A Journey T…

Mark Buchanan, author of God Walk: Moving at the Speed of your Soul, talks with Nate about the restorative gifts of God available to us in natural world. Books by Mark Buchanan God Walk: Moving at the Speed of your Soul David: Rise David: Reign The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath Your God is Too Safe: Rediscovering the Wonder …

The Renovaré Podcast with Nathan Foster returns with new episodes and a new name... Life with God. The next several episodes center the conversation around things that restore our souls—places of connection to God and gifts from the Lord that bring us inward healing. Katelyn Dixon leads off the series by looking at the creative act of writing as sp…

A 20-minute meditation—an audio retreat—on Psalm 131. Put on some headphones, find a comfortable spot, and let your soul be quieted. This episode is a collaboration with Joshua Banner from The Invitation Podcast (invitationpodcast.org).By Renovaré

Prayer doesn't have to be perfect, just real. Brian Morykon and Nathan Foster talk about music and writing as forms that help us craft authentic prayers in this 2015 episode of the Renovaré Podcast. Brian's song that is referenced in the podcast conversation and played at the end of the episode is What Can I Do (lyrics below), from The Smallest See…

"Each day is God's gift… But we have a choice." Jan Johnson talks with Nate about how to rejoice and be glad with the help of spiritual disciplines. Find more Jan Johnson resources at janjohnson.orgBy Renovaré

Mimi Dixon invites us to let Julian of Norwich teach us that “all shall be well" in this encore episode that first aired in 2017.By Renovaré

Nathan Foster takes a famous quote from Julian of Norwich and festoons each phrase with his own thoughts. Come linger over Julian’s words in this audio retreat, with music by Joshua Banner.By Renovaré

With gratitude for the life of Donn Thomas, we share this episode from the Renovaré Podcast archive (originally aired April 13, 2020). Donn speaks with Nate about his cancer diagnosis and other scary situations, and how God's presence helps us move from fear to confidence.By Renovaré

Monica and Jeremy Chambers join Nate to discuss ways of engaging with two transforming prayers for the Christian life: Psalm 23 and the Lord’s Prayer.By Renovaré

Katie Davis Majors shares her story of formation through suffering and explains the message of her book, Safe All Along.By Renovaré

Tina Dyer (Renovaré Board Treasurer) and Grace Pouch (Renovaré’s Content Manager) talk with Nathan Foster about the brilliance of Sojourner Truth and how her story has impacted their lives. Tina and Grace will lead the Renovaré book club through The Narrative of Sojourner Truth beginning on March 27. Show Notes [1:51] I am curious to know how you t…

Renovaré Ministry Team member and pastor, Kai Nilsen, talks with Nate about what we can learn from recent disruptions to church norms.By Renovaré

In this week’s episode of the Renovaré Podcast, Nathan talks with Miriam Rockness and Mimi Dixon about the life and faith of Lilias Trotter. Show Notes [ ] What has drawn you and fed you about her life? How did you discover her? [ ] Is it accurate to say we might have lost some of these pieces of her work had it not been for your journey? [ ] What …

Show notes What is visio divina, Viv? And how do you do that? What you're saying is that it's something we do all the time.—it's just taking a little extra pause or intentionality with what we're seeing? Can I do visio with nature… look out my window? What is your practice? Do you find a painting and say, “I'm gonna spend a half hour with this?” So…

Nathan Foster talks with Winn Collier about the penetrating and practical spiritual wisdom of 17th-century archbishop and writer François Fénelon. Show Notes [3:42] Could you share a little about Fénelon? [10:35] There’s almost a level of pain that one needs to feel in order to find the comfort... I wonder if it's a season of life, if you’re in a s…

Brenda Quinn and Richard Foster join Nathan to talk about Richard’s new book, Learning Humility: A Year of Searching for a Vanishing Virtue. Show Notes [4:38] Dad, could you give us an overview? [9:38] Brenda, what was your journey like as you were reading the chapters and how did this work for you as a Christ follower and a pastor? [17:08] Dad, th…

Robyn Wrigley-Carr returns to the Renovaré Podcast to talk with Nate about Evelyn Underhill—the 20th century author, spiritual director and retreat leader—and about Baron Friedrich Von Hügel, whose spiritual direction transformed Evelyn’s life with God. Show Notes [2:15] Here’s a quote from Eugene Peterson: “The most extensive and inviting introduc…

Professor, pastor, and author Robert Moore-Jumonville talks with Nathan Foster about Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton. Show Notes [0:57] What do you like about Chesterton? [5:09 ] How would you describe Orthodoxy to someone? [7:32] I’m struggling with the term “dense,” because it’s not boring... [12:41] For some reason I hear Kurt Vonnegut in Chesterto…

Most years Lacy Borgo re-reads A Testament of Devotion by Thomas Kelly. She joins Nathan Foster to discuss how this spiritual classic has impacted her life. Show Notes [3:02] You mentioned to me some time ago that you read this book every year. What’s that about? [5:06] How would you describe A Testament of Devotion? [6:23] What are the pieces this…

Nathan welcomes Mark Buchanan to the podcast to discuss the wonderfully “reliable” spiritual practice of walking, which is the topic of Mark’s newest book, God Walk: Moving at the Speed of Your Soul. Show Notes [1:17] I’m curious, how long have you been a speed walker? [2:09] What has your experience and practice been with walking? [3:58] What did …

Trevor Hudson talks with Nate about his new book, Seeking God: Finding Another Kind of Life with St. Ignatius and Dallas Willard, and unpacks what it means to be a “seeker” in a Christ-following way. Show Notes [1:43] I’m curious to know how you discovered St. Ignatius and how he’s impacted your life. [3:30] What was that experience like for you, p…

Renovaré President Ted Harro discusses his recent pilgrimage with his son along the Camino de Santiago, including how its unexpected detours taught him the beauty of humility. Show Notes [1:00] You recently went on a pilgrimage. Can you discuss pilgrimage as a spiritual practice? [4:55] I love this question, where are you going and why? That sounds…

Show Notes [1:24] You have a new book out. Why did you write this book? [4:18] Can you share a little about your journey? [7:51] What made a difference for you? How have you worked your narratives and what is that process like? [9:41] Many Christians know…the reality of some of the things you're saying. How do you move that from your head to your h…

Terry Wardle of Healing Care Ministries shares how an emotional breakdown at the height of his “success” in ministry played a pivotal role in moving him from information about God to encounter with God, from performance-oriented to grace-oriented, and from broken to beloved. Show Notes [1:00] I'm really curious to hear a little about your story. [5…

Authors and founders of Unhurried Living, Gem and Alan Fadling, share insights into how we experience soul change, share key questions that open the door to spiritual transformation, and explore the difference between self-help and spiritual formation.By Renovaré

Hip hop artist and author, Sho Baraka, joins Nate to talk about refreshing our theology of work, strengthening the relationship between creatives and the Church, and adding variety to the genres and voices we turn to for spiritual nurture. [2:08] Could you tell us a little about your book (its creation)? [6:47] Could you say a little about help for…

Author and Spiritual Director Sharon Garlough Brown speaks about using the medium of fiction to connect readers to the God who grieves and suffers with us and enlarges our capacity to receive joy. Show Notes [2:23] Could you tell us just a little about your love of Van Gogh? [5:12] Could you talk about how you work with fiction? [7:13] You go into …

A classic talk by Renovaré Ministry Team member and retired pastor Glandion Carney on the collection of practices that create room in his life for dwelling with God and receiving grace.By Renovaré

Author Robyn Wrigley-Carr joins Nathan on this week’s episode to discuss Evelyn Underhill’s Prayer Book. Show Notes Who was Evelyn Underhill? Tell me a little bit about her prayer book prior to your visit to the retreat house. I’m hearing joy. Was it a joyful process for you? She does something bold, taking a prayer from some great Saint and adding…

Steve Macchia, author and founder of Leadership Transformations, shares insights on cultivating discernment as a listening lifestyle—rather than merely a decision-making strategy—and how to humbly place God’s agenda ahead of our own. Show Notes [:] You take a different spin of sorts on the topic of discernment. Could you share with us a little abou…

Author Jan Johnson joins Nathan on this week’s episode to discuss Dallas Willard’s book Renovation of the Heart (an upcoming selection for the Renovaré book club), and how to live it out in daily practice.By Renovaré

In this guided audio meditation, Nathan Foster offers a prayer from the heart for Ukraine and the world.By Renovaré

Nathan speaks with one of his favorite authors, Marilyn McEntyre, about why “words matter more than we can imagine.” She explores words as sacraments, as creative forces, as conveyors of truth, and as precious ingredients in the feast called conversation. Show Notes [2:21] Where did your love of words begin? [4:52] Could you explain a little about …

How do pastors prevent burn out and keep first things first? Renovaré Ministry Team member Mimi Dixon shares insights and lessons from her decades of experience as a senior pastor. Show Notes [1:11] There's an article in Christianity today about pastors that you had mentioned to me. Could you share a little about that? [6:35] What are some things t…

Ted Harro joins Nathan Foster to talk about his unexpected journey to become Renovaré’s new president. Show Notes [2:53] I caught wind that you were really pushing to get this position. Is that accurate? [5:51] What changed, to get you in a position where you actually did apply and follow through? [8:23] How are you feeling about coming into the po…