Tara revisits conversations with two friends from the Wild Goose Festival. First Frances Cutshaw talks about her journey with self-love and the Order of St. Hildegard. She shares her struggle and dedication to caring for herself spiritually and physically, inspired by divine calling and sources like Brene Brown and Enneagram studies. She speaks abo…

In this episode of Holy Shenanigans, Tara reflects on finding the sacred in daily life. Using the biblical story from Mark 4 where Jesus calms a storm, Tara discusses the metaphorical storms of life and how we can navigate them. She shares her experiences and emphasizes the importance of a 'rule of life'—a personal guide crafted through prayer and …

In this episode, Pastor Tara Lamont Eastman discusses the theme of 'wild love' and draws parallels between the protective nature of wild geese and the Holy Spirit, often symbolized as a wild goose in Celtic Christianity. Through a relatable story of encountering a protective goose family and the Gospel account of Jesus' unwavering commitment to his…

In 'Holy Shenanigans' hosted by Pastor Tara Lamont Eastman, listeners are encouraged to explore the sacred in daily life and open up to different facets of love. Tara shares personal stories, including a bubble-blowing practice with her children for relaxation and reflection, and a heartwarming story of a father surprising his daughter in a Santa s…

An episode exploring the power of little ascensions and the connection between music, love, and encouragement. Send Tara a Text Message Support the Show. Pastor Tara Lamont Eastman is an Ordained Minister of Word & Sacrament in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She has pastored ELCA and PCUSA churches throughout New York State. She was a …

Author Debie Thomas discusses her new book "A Faith of Many Rooms" with Pastor Tara. They delves into topics such as the messy journey of faith, the significance of doubt, and the concept of spiritual "nada" or homeland. Send Tara a Text Message Support the Show. Pastor Tara Lamont Eastman is an Ordained Minister of Word & Sacrament in the Evangeli…

Why go to the Wild Goose Festival? Everyone's answer to this question is different. Some go for the music, others for the camping, some take in theological lectures, poetry slams, social justice forums, late night campfires, silent disco, art exhibits, book store and so much more! One thing follow Goose attenders can agree as their why in attending…

This week Tara discusses spirituality and nature with special guest Tony Jones. They reminisce about the the emergent church movement, the intersection of faith and nature, and even the role of dogs in spiritual journeys. Tony shares insights from his new book 'God of the Wild Places' and reflects on finding God in the wilderness. The conversation …

Writing is spiritual practice. Where do you begin, if you want to try it out? Pen. Pencil. Journal. Laptop. Yes, all of these tools can help with your writing practice, but first you need yourself and a community to support your practice. Rev. Dr. Eileen Campbell-Reed, is an academic entreprenuer and host of the Writing Table, who, in this week's e…

Is Everything Good about God True? Join Rev. Tara Eastman and special guest Rev. Bruce Reyes Chow to discuss his new book to help the reader learn about a progressive, expansive, and generous Christianity Rev. Bruce believes that - "A better story of faith exists, and it has the capacity to heal the world--if we only embrace, articulate, and live i…

How can this Lent be "Icon-ic"? Join Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman on a Lenten journey with Kristen Wheeler as they explore iconography as a spiritual practice. Questions To Ponder: How could engaging with Icons enrich your Lent? Your spiritual life? What is your "favorite" saint - and why? How do you engage in creativity as a spiritual practice? Kriste…

Are you ready for a road trip - with St. Brigid? February 1st marks St. Brigid's Feast Day that marks the turning of the winter season to spring. St. Brigid is the feminine patron Saint of Ireland whose life and work centered on caring for the poor and suffering. Some say that she was born on the literal threshold, setting the path of her work in t…

Tara continues her thoughts about spiritual disciplines. This week she talks about pausing aka "filling your cup." Send Tara a Text Message Support the Show. Pastor Tara Lamont Eastman is an Ordained Minister of Word & Sacrament in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She has pastored ELCA and PCUSA churches throughout New York State. She wa…

Welcome to a brand new year of sacred (non-stuffy) Holy Shenanigans! This season is exciting, with opportunities for fresh starts, but can be a time of overwhelming pressure to persue perfection. Well meaning resolutions can go sideways - fueled by sales efforts of the “wellness industry” in service to capitalism. There is another way to engage in …

Week 4 Advent into Christmas features special guest, Carolyn Whitehead, member of First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY, tells why her "aim is love" - in all things A Poem for Advent: Week Four: Love stuck The greatest of these four weeks of waiting is: love. With all the hope waking, peace-making and joy breaking, I need the glue of love to ma…

Special Guests, Lydia and Eve Kushmal, members of First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY, share what joy means to them in week three of HSP's 2023 Advent Series. Poem for Advent: Week Three JOY: Just, Outrageous, You! Joy is no wallflower. She, yes she, is bold , sassy and somewhat fearsome. Joy bursts into the room and won't stop grooving', til…

Welcome to Advent Week 2: Peace with special guest Dr. Chris Dahlie , of First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, NY. Dr. Dahlie, wrestles with the call to live peacefully, advocates for better communication and recognizes the challenge this presents to humankind. How can authentic peace be pursued? To follow along with Holy Shenanigans Podcast - an…

Welcome to Advent Week 1: Hope with special guest Janita Byars, member of First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, NY. Janita, advocate of hope, shares why this asset is essential for Advent and every season! To follow along with Holy Shenanigans Podcast - and daily posts of #expectantadvent inspiration - visit us at Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. …

Part 3 of HSP's #gratitudematters series features and interview with Mary T. MacDonald (founder of A Children's Place) and current director, Molly Hanft, of A Children's Place Daycare. Mary shares the amazing origin story of the longest running daycare, housed in First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, as Molly tells of how the program has continue…

Why does gratitude even matter? In this special Thanksgiving edition of Holy Shenanigans Podcast, Tara talks with her long-time blogging (yes blogging) friend Mary Bogan about the power of observing gratitude practices that began over 15 years ago. Our shared online gratitude practices (Click the green preceding text to read our Blog posts.) were s…

As we turn the calendar into November we enter a season many connect with Thanksgiving and Gratitude. For years now, I have engaged in a gratitude practice throughout all of November. How do I engage in gratitude practices? I take photos of things I am grateful for. I share poems that bring me joy and hope. I share scripture that inspires me. This …

Even when your "Jaded", you can't help yourself from loving love. This week's guest Marla Taviano is a poet and author of the book: 'Jaded: a poetic reckoning with white evangelical christian indoctrination' Marla Taviano (she/her) is into books, love, justice, globes, anti-racism, blue, gray, rainbows, and poems. She reads and writes for a living,…

How do you create a more peaceful, happy world and peaceful happy kids? Through the power of parables and story and the help of children’s books that focus on development of positive social emotional skills: self awareness, relationship awareness, social awareness, emotional self management and responsible decision making. In episode 153, Tara talk…

Holy Shenanigans Practioner Rev. Tara L. Eastman caught up with her colleague Rev. Dr. Deborah Roof at this summer’s Wild Goose Festival, to hear all about Words, Wonder and the Divine in You - a new book release. Deborah Roof, a queer Christian pastor, is an enthusiastic life-long learner and a passionate teacher. She is an ordained minister in th…

Celebrate Holy Shenanigans Podcast's 3rd Birthday and 150th Episode in a conversation at The Wild Goose Festival 2023 with Doug Pagitt from Vote Common Good and Rev. Tara L. Eastman. In this episode, it's Doug's turn to ask Tara all about the sacred in everyday life and how over the last 20 years, she's been faithfully observing and practicing Holy…

In honor and remembrance of International Overdose Awareness Day, on August 31, 2023 this week's episode focuses on, "Faith In Harm Reduction " with special guest Rev. Erica M. Poellot, MSW, MDiv. Rev. Erica M. Poellot, serves as the Minister of Harm Reduction and Overdose Prevention Ministries for the National United Church of Christ and Executive…

This week we celebrate the release of the book, "Youth Are Either Leading or Leaving", by Lyle Griner. To get your copy, go to: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/youth-are-either-leading-or-leaving Lyle Griner, is Executive Peer Ministry Leadership Director: A connoisseur of “Aha” moments as soulfully curious youth and families wrestle with the nuanc…

Welcome to episode #2 from the 2023 Wild Goose Festival - this week I visit with a new friend, Jon Carl Lewis, on the topic of Spiritual Direction/Companionship. Jon Carl Lewis is a spiritual companion dedicated to helping followers of Christ connect more deeply with Christ—and each other—so that they might live with abundant joy, loving God and th…

Welcome to the Wildgoose Festival 2023, "Ignite"! One of my favorite parts of Wildgoose is the opportunity to connect with new and old friends, to be reminded of the importance of supportive relationships and to carry these connections home - long after the festival has wrapped up. Our first interview is with a new friend - Kate is the author of th…

Is Collaboration a "holy shenanigans"? Join Tara and Spencer Burke as they celebrate innovation and collaboration to foster wholeness for people and organizations. In the summer of 2022, spiritual innovator Spencer Burke, organized an Online Conference with 30 Spiritual Leaders called, "The Next Sunday Summit". Holy Shenanigans Podcast muse, Rev. T…

What does Juneteenth mean to you? For Ms. Della Moore, Juneteenth is a holiday for remembrance, reflection and living into BIPOC joy. Juneteenth, a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans since 2021. Juneteenth is also know as "Freedom Day", deriving its name from combining June and nineteen…

Episode #143 of #HSP celebrates Pride month with the Rev. Holly Clark-Porter. Rev. Holly tells her personal story of what Pride means to her: Beginning with the history of Pride's origin at Stonewall, her coming out as a seminary student, meeting her spouse and their journey together as a publicly queer clergy couple. No matter if you are new to Qu…

This Pentecost, as I think about the mighty, rushing wind that invoked the followers of Christ to speak and live lives of love - real love; I am on the lookout for signs of this love today - hearts ablaze for the sake of love. I think what is needed to not simply revive the Church to love - but reorient our focus, to Christ"s starting place to love…

In the wake of the global pandemic and long season that called the 'church" to be church in new and innovative ways - is creativity in a state of crisis or growth? Clergywoman and church consultant Rev. Dr. Karen Chamis invites churches and church leaders to move beyond dreaming - to bring dreams to fruition. Karen believes that creativity empowere…

Special Guest Suzanne John Blacksnake, member of the Seneca Nation (Deer Clan) and Elder from Jimersontown Presbyterian Church. In Episode 140 of Holy Shenanigans Podcast, Suzanne shares the history of Seneca peoples, their complex relationship with Presbytery of WNY - as well as ways her church (Jimersontown Presbyterian Church) is working for hea…

LIVE is... Love, Intention, Verve and Ease. At least for Tara - for her it's a rule of life - or at least, and intention. How can learning what your strengths are, and leaning into them help you to LIVE? Listen for more on the power of questions, learning and leaning into your strengths - and truly LIVE-ing. Send Tara a Text Message Support the Sho…

What is spiritual shepherding? Learn the basics of spiritual direction from spiritual director Nancy Wagner. Nancy Wager is a Deacon on the Roster of Word and Service with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Nancy holds BS and MS degrees in Elementary Education from SUNY Cortland, a Master of Arts in Applied Theology degree from Whee…

Waiting can lead to impatience OR impatiens. Impatiens? Tara tells a story of her childhood neighbor Ms. Estella and how the imptiens she grew, were a lesson of grace. Can we be more like impatens in our waiting? Send Tara a Text Message Support the Show. Pastor Tara Lamont Eastman is an Ordained Minister of Word & Sacrament in the Evangelical Luth…

Today's guest Lilly Lewin is a worship curator, author, artist, and founder of Thinplace NASHVILLE, and Finding Your Thinplace. She creates sacred space prayer experiences and leads workshops and retreats on sabbath and prayer and pilgrimages to help people discover their thinplace..the place where they feel God’s pleasure and presence. Her passion…

What signs of Spring are you looking for? The Easter Season is here to bring gifts of renewal and hope - and the gift of a conversation with author Roger Hutchison regarding the publication and release of two new books, Sparrow's Prayer and The Art of Calm (April 19). Join Roger and Tara for a heart to heart about the broken and beautiful - as they…

In anticipation of Palm Sunday and Holy Week, P. Tara and John Fong discuss tools of spiritual vitality in times of change. John Fong is a Hybrid Church Growth Communications Consultant. A Synod of NE Innovation grant recipient, he is currently working with presbyteries and churches in three Synods. John uses church growth case studies, focuses on …

Listen to "notes" of gratitude featuring David Horne - Minister of Music at Jamestown First Presbyterian Church. He arrived in WNY in 2018, to help care for his father, after serving as Choral Director and Chapel Organist at Tabor Academy, in Massachusetts. Send Tara a Text Message Support the Show. Pastor Tara Lamont Eastman is an Ordained Ministe…

This week, Dawn Trautman and Tara share a conversation about gratitude in the midst of Lent. How do Lent and gratitude mix? In the grit of life does gratitude actually matter??? Who is Dawn? Dawn Trautman founded Big Picture Big Purpose in 2005 to coach ministry professionals, academics, and non-profit leaders into healthy change-makers in their pe…

How can we, in grief-filled times, have our cups filled to overflowing? Could gratitude have something to do with resilient living? Tara looks to Psalm 23 and the research of Dr. Lucy Hone - and shares a personal account of walking with grief, with the help of gratitude. Send Tara a Text Message Support the Show. Pastor Tara Lamont Eastman is an Or…

This Lent, I am looking up, thanks to a reminder this week thanks to some yellow balloons, old helium tanks and quick spaghetti. My spiritual practice this Lent, is to take a photo each day of small AND important things and post a note of gratitude for them on my Instagram page with the hashtag #gratitudematters AND #lent23 I invite you to join me …

Rev. Tara shares a heart-to-heart conversation guest Andrea DiMaio on the unlikely intersections between changing the narrative around bodies, movement, exercise and outdoor representation of all bodies and traditions of the Lenten season. Don't miss this mountain-top experience that invites everyone to seek the dream of their life - and climb the …

Tara welcomes Therese Taylor-Stinson, author of Walking the Way of Harriet Tubman: Public Mystic and Freedom Fighter (Broadleaf Books). They discuss public mysticism, internal liberation, and perseverance. About our guest: Therese Taylor-Stinson is a writer, spiritual director, ordained deacon, and ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA). A g…

Do You Love Me? Check YES or NO Valentine's Day gives the opportunity to consider all the ways we can say, "Yes", "No" or "Maybe" to love - or welcome. Tara shares an experience of home insecurity, how the words of Christ inspire being on the side of welcome, and a lesson to never give up the search for love from the Mexican ritual of La Posada. (I…

What do you think it means to stay salty? To help us start to unpack this idea, Tara hits the streets as a roving podcaster to ask this question: "When you hear the phrase ' stay salty', what does it mean to you?" Sound Effects from Pixabay. Send Tara a Text Message Support the Show. Pastor Tara Lamont Eastman is an Ordained Minister of Word & Sacr…

Have you ever received an upside-down blessing? Upside-down blessings are a close cousin to a Holy Shenanigan - they are gifts of grace that take us off guard and give opportunities to learn a needed lesson. Send Tara a Text Message Support the Show. Pastor Tara Lamont Eastman is an Ordained Minister of Word & Sacrament in the Evangelical Lutheran …