“Contemplate This!” features talks and guided meditations with Dr. Tom Bushlack, plus interviews with guests. Interviews feature leaders and teachers of contemplative practices (mindfulness, meditation, contemplative prayer, etc.) in order to learn about their history, how they became involved in contemplation, what their daily practice looks like, how they teach and share the fruits of contemplation with others – and most importantly – how their practice has transformed them and inspired th ...
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Overcome the "Demon" of Work with the Desert Mothers & Fathers
49:59
49:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:59
The Desert Fathers & Mothers of Egypt in the 4th century BCE recognized how the constant drive to always be working can be like a "demon," destroying our physical, emotional, and spiritual health and relationships. In this live talk and guided meditation we'll reflect together on their wisdom to seek balance in our fast-paced world.…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 31: Interview with Matt Mumber, M.D.
1:09:35
1:09:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:09:35
Matthew Mumber, M.D., practices medicine as a board-certified radiation oncologist with the Harbin Clinic in Rome. After entering private practice, Matt attended and graduated from Dr. Andrew Weil’s fellowship in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona, where he met Rachel Remen and attended trainings on facilitation of physician-patient …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 30 - Interview with Toni Stogdill
53:36
53:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:36
Toni Stogdill is a Realtor and the Director of Communications for the Master Investor's Tribe (St. Louis, MO). She recently participated in our "Centering for Wisdom" group coaching program and shares her journey of contemplative transformation. Toni is a real-life busy, overwhelmed, stressed out professional like many of you who has integrated a d…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 29: Interview with Julius Anthony
1:31:04
1:31:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:31:04
Julius B. Anthony is Founder and President of St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature and The Believe Project. He has enjoyed more than 20 years as an early childhood and elementary education professional and has served as a classroom teacher, principal, director of curriculum and insruction, and adjunct professor. Throughout his career, J…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 28: Interview with Ben Gioia
1:06:12
1:06:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:06:12
Ben Gioia (“joya”) is a two-time best-selling author, speaker, and creator of the Influence With A Heart® Method. If you have a BIG IDEA, Ben will teach you how to write your #1 best selling book — in 5 weeks — and position yourself for a media explosion (and more) in 3 months. Ben helped a Fortune 100 company shift culture, trained leaders at Stan…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 27 - Interview with Dr. Robert Waldinger
1:02:28
1:02:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:28
Dr. Waldinger has one of the most viewed Ted Talks of all time, with over 100 million views – it’s called “What Makes for a Good Life?” Just to give you a teaser, he gives us the answer to what makes for happiness in just two words, within the first five minutes of the show! Bob Waldinger is also a clinical psychiatrist at Harvard and the current D…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 26 - Interview with Nick Zolfo
1:13:04
1:13:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:13:04
For this episode I am your co-host, along with Nick Zolfo, the host of the podcast “Catching ZZ’s: A Millennial’s Guide to Mindfulness.” Nick and I were introduced by a mutual colleague, and we realized that we have a very similar purpose behind our podcasts – which is to highlight the wisdom of others’ spiritual practices and share it with as many…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 25 - Interview with Keith Kristich
54:36
54:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
54:36
Keith Kristich lives in Buffalo, NY with his partner and wife, Colleen. He’s a self-described lover of nature, good conversation, and am often found with a book, banjo, or guitar in hand. In his own words, he says “My ultimate aim is to help people slow down and reconnect with their deepest and truest self.” Two things stand out about this intervie…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
“Centering-In-Place” - An Invitation to Open Your Heart During Coronavirus Social Isolation
8:07
8:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
8:07
In this special episode I want to reflect on our global connection to each other, and to invite each of you to open your heart as you engage the fears and anxieties that we’re feeling right now during the coronavirus pandemic.By Thomas J. Bushlack
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 24 - Interview with Ven. Kusala Bhikshu
1:16:16
1:16:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:16:16
Ven. Kusala Bikshu is an American-born monk ordained in the Zen Tradition of Vietnam and head monk at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in the Korea town section of Los Angeles. Kusala is a member of the Buddhist-Roman Catholic Dialogue of Los Angeles and MID – Monastic Inter-religious Dialogue, a national organization of Buddhists and C…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 23 - Interview with Mag Dimond
1:19:41
1:19:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:19:41
Mag Dimond is the award-winning author of Bowing to Elephants: Tales of a Travel Junkie (which hit #1 in 5 countries on the day it launched and just won Best Indie Biographies & Memoirs from Kirkus). Her book has been compared to EAT, PRAY, LOVE in professional reviews and has received accolades from many thought leaders in the mindfulness space, i…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 22: Interview with Fr. Bill Sheehan, OMI
1:03:49
1:03:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:49
Fr. Bill dives deep into the practice of Centering Prayer right from the first question in this episode. Jim McElroy, my guest on [episode 19](https://thomasjbushlack.com/episode19/), mentioned Fr. Bill Sheehan as a frequent retreat leader in the 12-Step Contemplative Outreach community, and he suggested inviting Bill to be a guest. This was sage a…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 21: Interview with Fr. Columba Stewart, OSB
1:14:50
1:14:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:14:50
Fr. Columba Stewart is kind of like a cross between a Benedictine monk and Indiana Jones! Since becoming the executive director of the Hill Monastic Manuscript Library (HMML) at St. John’s Abbey in 2003, Columba has traveled extensively throughout the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and India, cultivating relationships with commu…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 20: Interview with Michael Poffenberger
1:00:11
1:00:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:11
**Michael Poffenberger** is the Executive Director of the Center for Action & Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and he is part of a younger generation of leaders seeking to integrate contemplative practices with compassionate social action. Michael was inspired in college by spending time with Saint Mother Teresa and her sisters of charity …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 18: Interview with Dr. Jill Wener
1:29:49
1:29:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:29:49
After 10+ years practicing Internal Medicine in a busy urban hospital, Dr Jill Wener knows firsthand what severe stress and burnout feel like. In the midst of her own burnout, she was introduced to [Conscious Health Meditation](www.meditationinmedicine.com), and it had a profound effect on her resilience and reactivity. Like many healthcare profess…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 17: Interview with Rev. Dr. Sarah Bachelard
1:22:22
1:22:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:22:22
There are some real delights waiting for you in this episode - especially when Sarah reflects on St. Paul's writings about no longer thinking about ourselves and our egos - I found this so liberating from the way we tend to focus on ourselves and only up making our suffering worse. We also sort of go off script toward the end, when Sarah asks me a…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 16: Interview with Dr. Barry White, M.D.
57:23
57:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
57:23
After my interview with Fr. Laurence Freeman, OSB, (Episode 14), he immediately suggested that I get in touch with Dr. Barry White. Listeners are going to be very grateful for this connection Dr. Barry White, M.D., is hematologist and an executive board member of VHI Health and Wellbeing, a part of [VHI](https://www.vhi.ie/home) - the largest healt…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Interview with Fr. Laurence Freeman, OSB
1:11:38
1:11:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:11:38
I first met Fr. Laurence at the New Contemplative Exchange in Snowmass Colorado in August of 2017. He was there as one of the representatives of what we affectionately call the "Big 4" networks of Christian contemplative practice - along with Fr. Thomas Keating (Contemplative Outreach, Ltd.), Rev. Dr. Tilden Edwards (Shalem Institute), Fr. Richard …
…
continue reading
Maria Gullo describes how God frees us from the "imposter self" in contemplation, and how a daily practice helps to integrate our many roles in life. Maria Gullo is a fellow teacher of Centering Prayer and on the Insight Timer app, the creator of TheDeeperConnection.org, a trained and experienced spiritual director, and a small business owner. Mari…
…
continue reading
Louis Komjathy 康思奇 (Ph.D., Religious Studies; Boston University) is Associate Professor of Chinese Religions and Comparative Religious Studies at the University of San Diego, and Research Fellow of the Mind & Life Institute. A leading teacher-scholar of Daoism (Taoism) and Contemplative Studies, he has particular interests in contemplative practice…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Interview with the Rev. Dr. Stuart Higginbotham
1:28:23
1:28:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:28:23
Fr. Stuart Higginbotham, an Episcopal priest in Gainesville, GA, is another one of the thoughtful and inspiring persons I met at the New Contemplative Exchange in Snowmass, CO, last August (2017). This interview stood out for me because of the very intentional way in which Stuart is bringing a contemplative disposition into his leadership role as p…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Contemplate This! Interview with Dr. Lerita Coleman Brown
1:32:48
1:32:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:32:48
Lerita Coleman Brown, PhD, Professor of Psychology Emerita at Agnes Scott College, is a spiritual director/companion, writer, retreat leader, and speaker. A graduate of the Spiritual Guidance Program at the Shalem Institute (founded by Tilden Edwards, Episode 3), Lerita writes about and promotes contemplative spirituality in everyday life, the life…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Contemplate This! Interview with Rev. Matthew Wright
1:23:21
1:23:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:23:21
The Rev. Matthew Wright is an Episcopal priest, writer, and retreat leader working to renew the Christian Wisdom tradition. He serves as priest-in-charge at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Woodstock, NY and is a teacher for Northeast Wisdom and The Contemplative Society, non-profits rooted in the teaching lineage of Cynthia Bourgeault. Matthew li…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Contemplate This! Dr. Stephen (Stoma) Parker Interview
1:26:52
1:26:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:26:52
I was introduced to Dr. Stephen Parker by a friend who suggested I reach out to him given my interests in psychology, yoga, and contemplative practices. We worked together for a brief time in therapy, but quickly moved into a spiritual friendship. I received initiation from him in 2013, and he remains one of my principle teachers of contemplation. …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Interview with yoga teacher Myra Rucker
1:49:19
1:49:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:49:19
Myra Rucker is a yoga instructor at the YMCA, [Nokomis yoga](http:////www.nokomisyoga.com/), and a teacher at [Common Ground Buddhist meditation center](http:commongroundmeditation.org/)in Minneapolis, MN. This episode was particularly fun for me because Myra was my first yoga teacher, and she has become a good friend and a wonderful conversation p…
…
continue reading
Chris Heuertz was introduced to the Enneagram by a friend in India and it radically changed his life - leading to a shocking and difficult awakening, a "severe mercy," but one that led him on a journey of self-discovery and in-depth study of the Enneagram system and process of spiritual transformation. The wisdom of this journey is collected in his…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Introducing the Enneagram with Chris Heuertz
9:08
9:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:08
This bonus track is an edited snippet from my interview with Chris Heuertz for the Contemplate This! podcast, conversations on contemplation and compassion. My interview with Chris was so rich and in-depth that I wanted to break out this 7 minute section where he gives a very concise overview of what the Enneagram is - or better, how it functions a…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Contemplate This! Interview with Phileena Heuertz
1:05:47
1:05:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:05:47
Phileena is a founding co-director of Gravity Center: a Center for Contemplative Activism (in Omaha, NE), along with her husband Chris. She has spent her life in social justice work among the world’s poor. A member of the New Friar movement, for nearly 20 years she and her husband Chris served with Word Made Flesh in more than 70 countries building…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Contemplate This! Interview with Rev. Dr. Tilden Edwards
1:35:08
1:35:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:35:08
This third interview is with the Rev. Dr. Tilden Edwards, an Episcopalian priest and founding member, former Executive Director, and now Senior Fellow of the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. Shalem is a Hebrew word meaning "whole" or "complete," or as Tilden explains in this podcast, the Hebrew captures the notion of "movement toward whole…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Contemplate This! Interview with Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault
1:24:59
1:24:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:24:59
This second episode is an interview with Cynthia Bourgeault. Cynthia is an ordained Episcopalian priest, and beloved teacher of contemplative forms of Christian practice, Founder of the Wisdom Way of Knowing, teacher in the Wisdom School, and now a core teacher at the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albequerque NM. She has been a prolific au…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Contemplate This! Interview with Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM
1:39:40
1:39:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:39:40
This first interview is with Fr. Richard Rohr, a Catholic priest and member of the Franciscans, the religious order established by St. Francis of Assissi in the 13th century. He is the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and a leading teacher in the Living School, a program begun by the Center for Action a…
…
continue reading