Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Everyday Thin Places
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From race speed to "Rich Speed" with Rich Speeney | 16 Jun 2025 | 01:06:30 | |
In this inspiring and insight-packed episode, Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso explore themes of creativity, family, disruptions, health, resetting, and slowing down with Pennsylvania-based entrepreneur, Rich Speeney. The conversation covers one of Rich's most challenging and surprising experiences of his life: mold exposure, which caused severe health challenges and led to starting over completely. Rich and his wife sold their house, got rid of all of their belongings, and moved in with Rich's parents. This experience has changed everything and has forced Rich to slow down to "Rich Speed". Rich delivers a transparent and inspiring look at accepting reality while clinging to hope - and how staying curious and community-focused keeps him believing in 100% recovery. This episode delivers clarity, honesty, and encouragement. Resources
Hosts: Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso Guest: Rich Speeney CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: | |||
| A Charming Third Time for her 50th Year with Marla Taviano | 12 May 2025 | 00:55:06 | |
For the first time on the podcast, Rachael and Elizabeth are interviewing a third-time-guest! We're joined by author, speaker, and friend, Marla Taviano, who is on a quest to be on 50 podcasts in her 50th year. Marla tells us all about her experiences making goal lists and achieving some interesting milestones (52 zoos in 52 weeks!). Then, she shares about her love of books and her journey to read more books by people of color. This episode is your permission slip to let go of perfectionism and start pursuing the things that bring you joy. Whether you're trying to visit 52 zoos in 52 weeks, or hoping to be on 50 podcasts in your 50th year, Marla's energy, honesty, and joy will leave you inspired. Subscribe to Marla's substack to read Marla's letters to her past self. Tune in now to find out all of this and more and be sure to subscribe! APPLE PODCAST LISTENERS: If you are enjoying "Everyday Thin Places" please make sure to leave a 5-star rating (and, if you want, a review telling others to give it a try). Higher rated podcasts get better placement in suggestion lists. It helps more fans find the show. Thanks!!! CONNECT WITH THE SHOW: HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Donate to our ongoing expenses. | |||
| We're Still Here! | 11 Mar 2024 | 00:32:08 | |
We're so excited for another Everyday Thin Places episode after quite a while away! We chat about our energy coming back as we move from winter to spring. We're diving deep into all things spring! The ladies discuss Elizabeth's spring plans of the Broad Street Run, throwing the windows open, spring cleaning on Leap Day, as well as Rachael's "Elderland" update, the relativity of seasons, and connecting with Mother Nature. | |||
| BONUS EPISODE: Surfing with Jeremy Avellino | 03 Oct 2020 | 01:03:08 | |
It's Fall! 'Tis the season for crisp air, bright leaves, pumpkins and ... surfing? Apparently it is, so we're talking about surfing with Jeremy Avellino in this bonus episode during water week of our 4 Elements Series. But we won't just be talking about surfing and how it can be a mystical and transformative thin place. We also talk about Jeremy's work as an architect, and take a wandering path that leads us through lots more provocative, challenging and inspiring topics. | |||
| Water with Keri McGinn of Halcyon Floats | 28 Sep 2020 | 00:48:34 | |
In 2014, Keri McGinn opened Halcyon Floats in Philadelphia. It was the first flotation therapy location in Philadelphia, but it quickly gained popularity in the Philadelphia area. Keri joins us to talk about water and how floating can help with stress management, letting go, and even meditating to help us experience thin places. | |||
| Fire with Ilyssa and Dave Kyu, editors of Campfire Stories: Tales from America's National Parks | 21 Sep 2020 | 00:41:17 | |
Ilyssa and Dave Kyu, authors of Campfire Stories: Tales From America's National Parks are here! Ilyssa and Dave recount their time spent traveling around the US National Parks and reveal how campfires facilitate community, preserve history, and celebrate our shared heritage. Plus, Rachael and Elizabeth share some personal stories of the power of campfires in their own lives. | |||
| Air with Amy Wright Glenn | 14 Sep 2020 | 00:38:16 | |
Rachael and Elizabeth welcome Amy Wright Glenn to the show! Amy is the founder of the Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death and the author of Birth, Breath, and Death: Meditations on Motherhood, Chaplaincy, and Life as a Doula and Holding Space: On Loving, Dying, and Letting Go. Amy talks about how air and breath help her to hold space and be present for others in birth, in death, and in life. Amy, Rachael, and Elizabeth also discuss how our own breath is the best teacher on being more present and how Covid-19 has affected our views on breath and the sadness we are all experiencing due to not being able to share breath with others. Don't forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| 4 Elements | 07 Sep 2020 | 00:44:48 | |
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso talk about what to expect in their upcoming series about the 4 elements. Rachael and Elizabeth open up about their experiences with each of the 4 elements as they relate to birth and death. Plus, you'll get a brief primer of each of the 4 elements. | |||
| Queer Eye featuring Noah Hepler - Part Two | 31 Aug 2020 | 00:36:58 | |
In part two of our interview with Pastor Noah Hepler, Noah shares with Rachael and Elizabeth how he felt about his experiences on Netflix's hit show, Queer Eye. And Noah gives us his HONEST reaction to Bobby Berk's interview with Philly Voice! Noah shares about vulnerability as a thin place. Plus, Elizabeth reveals a private moment from watching Queer Eye with her oldest daughter and how Noah's episode affected her family. | |||
| Queer Eye featuring Noah Hepler - Part One | 24 Aug 2020 | 00:46:39 | |
Pastor Noah Hepler joins us to talk about his experiences on the popular Netflix show, "Queer Eye", which was released earlier this summer. He shares about his emotions not only during filming, but also how being on the show has affected his life since then. For the first 15 minutes of the interview, we talk about Noah's work as a Lutheran pastor. The last 30 minutes, we discuss "Queer Eye", and you'll want to make sure to come back for more next week! | |||
| Travel with Melody Boyd | 17 Aug 2020 | 00:39:54 | |
We're excited to share with you an episode featuring Melody Boyd, world traveler. Melody traveled around the world in 2019 and joins us to talk about experiencing thin places on four continents, obstacles she faced along the way, and what she learned about herself and the world along the way. | |||
| Ritual | 10 Aug 2020 | 00:37:08 | |
To consider fear and pain, we also had to think about ritual. We hope this week's episode opens up conversations to help us to learn about helpful rituals that we can practice throughout all of life. | |||
| Pain | 03 Aug 2020 | 00:38:42 | |
We've had pain on our minds. After last week's episode about fear, we decided to release a three-episode series on fear, pain, and ritual. We hope this week's episode helps shine a light on the different types of pain that we ourselves have experienced and witnessed. | |||
| Where'd You Park Your Spaceship?: An Interplanetary Tale of Love, Loss, and Bread by Rob Bell | 30 Oct 2023 | 00:55:03 | |
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso return with guest Rob Bell to discuss Rob's new book, "Where'd You Park Your Spaceship?". Starting with a discussion about this being a departure from Rob's previous works of nonfiction, we assure you that this sci-fi fiction book is very "Rob Bell". We're pretty sure Rob just became best friends with all of his readers as he weaves a story about other planets that helps us all to better understand Rob Bell the friend. We talk about our expectations of the book vs what our thoughts were while reading and what the process was like for Rob while he was writing it. This is a good one, friends. We're glad you're here. | |||
| Fear | 27 Jul 2020 | 00:38:11 | |
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso dive into the topic of fear, its role and purpose in our lives, and how we can work with our fear in helpful ways. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? | |||
| Can Facebook be a thin place? | 20 Jul 2020 | 00:32:49 | |
Rachael and Elizabeth share about their experiences with Facebook - when it most definitely has NOT been a thin place, but when it absolutely has. You'll hear from others who have found what it takes to create a sense of safe and authentic community on Facebook, and learn about how to participate in such an online community with other Everyday Thin Places listeners. | |||
| Music Therapist featuring Heidi Lengel | 13 Jul 2020 | 00:45:56 | |
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso are joined by Heidi Lengel to discuss her role as a Music Therapist specializing in maternal mental health during the perinatal period. You can expect authentic, powerful, and magical moments in this very special interview. | |||
| Poet featuring Andrea Hope | 06 Jul 2020 | 00:51:11 | |
Rachael and Elizabeth are joined by poet, Andrea Hope to share herself as a poet, as a mother, and as a Baha'i. | |||
| Dancing Doula featuring Elizabeth Weinstein | 29 Jun 2020 | 00:38:02 | |
Rachael and Elizabeth are joined by “dancing doula”, Elizabeth Weinstein to chat about how she has learned to see everyday thin places, how she became a dancing doula, and how anyone can take steps to embrace movement as a thin place. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? | |||
| Art Therapist featuring Dana Rummery | 22 Jun 2020 | 00:34:10 | |
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso interview art therapist, Dana Rummery about her work with hospice patients and their loved ones. Dana explains why and how art can be a “thin place” for all of us. They then discuss some simple ways that anyone can engage in art for self care. Finally they discuss how listeners can find out more about art therapy and support some causes that are important to Dana. | |||
| Bonus Episode: In case it needed to be said, BLACK LIVES MATTER | 22 Jun 2020 | 00:32:09 | |
Because Black Lives Matter, Rachael and Elizabeth want to pause at this moment in history to explicitly share about how Black Birth and Black Death in particular matter. | |||
| Doula featuring Elizabeth Varaso | 17 Jun 2020 | 00:39:39 | |
Rachael interviews Elizabeth about her work as a birth doula and a childbirth educator. Elizabeth shares her personal thoughts about how birth is a “thin place” and we find out what the difference is between a doula and a midwife. | |||
| Chaplain featuring Rachael Gallagher | 16 Jun 2020 | 00:36:44 | |
Rachael is interviewed by Elizabeth to address her work as an interfaith hospice chaplain and how this work is a “thin place”. | |||
| "So what even is a thin place, anyway?" | 15 Jun 2020 | 00:21:37 | |
Interfaith hospice chaplain, Rachael Gallagher and birth doula, Elizabeth Varaso introduce the concept of “thin places”, addressing some misconceptions and exploring what thin places mean to them. Drawing from their experiences supporting birthing people and dying people, Rachael and Elizabeth explore with honesty, authenticity and humor how we can all become more truly-living people. | |||
| Trea Turner and The Rabbit Effect | 16 Oct 2023 | 00:44:50 | |
It's Red October in Philadelphia, and Phillies fever is spreading. Symptoms include yelling, cheering, and . . . kindness? Elizabeth has been gushing to Rachael about Phillie's short stop Trea Turner for weeks now, so it's only right that we share his story with our listeners and invite you all to jump on the bandwagon of postseason baseball and truly living. But we're not just talking baseball - we're talking about rabbits, cholesterol, kindness, the Green House model of nursing care and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. | |||
| Welcome to Everyday Thin Places | 01 Jun 2020 | 00:03:14 | |
In each episode of Everyday Thin Places, birth doula Elizabeth Varaso and interfaith hospice chaplain Rachael Gallagher draw from their experiences supporting birthing people and dying people to explore with honesty, authenticity and humor how we can all become more truly-living people. | |||
| Psychedeladoula: Nicki Cowan | 28 Aug 2023 | 01:01:34 | |
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso interview Nicki Cowan, psychotherapist, end-of-life doula, and co-founder of the Philly Death Doula Collective. In this special episode, Nicki discusses awe, existential intensity, and the greater-than-human world. | |||
| Healing and Learning in the Desert with Kay Bruner | 14 Aug 2023 | 00:50:24 | |
Rachael and Elizabeth are back with Kay Bruner. They start the episode with some quick life updates from Kay, then begin talking about Kay's favorite aspects of life in the desert, "Agave Watch", and learning how to be okay with letting go. Reach Rachael and Elizabeth - everydaythinplaces@gmail.com | |||
| Neighbors With No Doors featuring Josiah Haken | 17 Jul 2023 | 01:03:49 | |
On this episode, our new friend Josiah Haken, CEO of City Relief in NYC shares about serving those stuggling with housing insecurity and food insecurity. Josiah skillfully walks us through how serving people experiencing homelessness is a thin place and how each of us can offer hospitality to our neighbors regardless of our context. Thanks for listening! | |||
| Art, Music, and Light with Dan Martin and Michael Biello | 03 Jul 2023 | 01:08:50 | |
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso are joined by life partners and creative collaborators, Dan Martin and Michael Biello to discuss telling stories through art, music, and light. | |||
| Come on in, the water's fine! - Elizabeth's Year of Truly Living | 19 Jun 2023 | 00:43:04 | |
After being coy for a while, on this episode, Elizabeth finally shares what has kept her busy most summers, and what's been keeping her busy this year.
Follow Elizabeth's most recent social media at https://www.instagram.com/yourdeconversiondoula/ and https://www.instagram.com/reclaimingrapture/ | |||
| Where Possibility Plays - Rachael's Year of Truly Living | 19 Jun 2023 | 00:40:21 | |
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso reflect on this past year and catch up on what Rachael's been doing this year.
Find us on Instagram: @everydaythinplaces | |||
| Cheers to three years! Happy Third Anniversary Everyday Thin Places! | 15 Jun 2023 | 00:43:30 | |
In this episode, Rachael and Elizabeth talk through the story of calling this episode an "anniversary" and we talk about what to expect in the future from Everyday Thin Places. Thank you for listening and letting us celebrate this special occasion! | |||
| Somatic Practices with Jim Donnelly | 09 Apr 2025 | 00:40:10 | |
Today's episode of "Everyday Thin Places" is all about somatic experiencing! We kick off the episode with an introduction to Jim Donnelly and his path toward healing through somatic work and follow up with the role somatic work plays in addressing trauma. Then we hear from Jim about the process of becoming reacquainted with his body's sensations and how it changed his relationship with his body. Plus, we explore the connection between somatic work and the Enneagram. Tune in now to hear all this and more and be sure to subscribe! Jim mentioned: Waking the Tiger | |||
| Special Episode: Philly Sports Fanaticism as a Thin Place featuring Erik Johanson | 13 Feb 2023 | 00:55:19 | |
In this very special episode, it's time for the Super Bowl. Joining us for the first time is Erik Johanson, Philadelphia sports fanatic. In the last 5 months, Philly fans have gotten quite a bit of excitement with both the Phillies and the Eagles competing in championship games. We talk to Erik about how his love for Phladelphia and it's sports teams developed, and how it has become a thin place for him. And we explore one more important piece of Erik's story: his complicated relationship with his father and where Erik is left after his father's death last summer. | |||
| Happy (2nd) Birthday, Everyday Thin Places! | 15 Jun 2022 | 00:38:05 | |
Rachael and Elizabeth react to Everyday Thin Places turning two years old, before reflecting on the amazing guests we have had the privilege to host. Plus, what’s next for Everyday Thin Places?! | |||
| The Thin Places that Teachers Create | 23 May 2022 | 00:40:44 | |
Elizabeth has been keeping busy making teacher appreciation gifts, and Rachael has been watching her teacher friends on social media as they wrap up the school year. It feels like a great time to talk about teachers and the impact the have made on our lives. •To share a teacher/student story for a future episode, reach us at everydaythinplaces@gmail.com •Follow the podcast on Instagram (@Everydaythinplaces). | |||
| Unbelieve with Marla Taviano | 09 May 2022 | 01:07:48 | |
This is a second episode with Marla Taviano because she HAS A NEW BOOK in the world! We explore the poetry within "Unbelieve - Poems on the Journey to Becoming a Heretic". From "I was wrong" to "God Loves Everyone" to "growing up evangelical" to "chirp chirp", every poem in this new book is eye-opening and relatable and honest and authentic. | |||
| Silence - Let's talk about it! | 25 Apr 2022 | 00:46:59 | |
Rachael and Elizabeth record an actual conversation about silence! In their conversation, Rachael discusses her thoughts on how silence can be used as a weapon. Plus, Elizabeth talks about how she's gotten curious and open to silence. SPOILER: She's starting to offer spiritual direction and is using silence as a tool.
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| Silence as a Thin Place | 11 Apr 2022 | 00:08:47 | |
Nope, this isn't a glitch or a mistake. | |||
| Building a Blended Family featuring Angela Dobryznski | 28 Mar 2022 | 00:45:40 | |
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso are joined by Angela Dobrynski, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Grief Specialist. While Angela has a wealth of professional experience in the world of grief and loss, this conversation focuses on her own personal story of grief, loss and the surprises that led to her building the family that she has today. | |||
| Advance | 14 Mar 2022 | 00:42:21 | |
Rachael and Elizabeth talk all about ADVANCING (most notably, the Battle of Little Round Top, chemotherapy, and athletic training). Also, Elizabeth shares about an advance she received in order to help her neighbors and her family. | |||
| Retreat | 28 Feb 2022 | 00:36:05 | |
On this very special edition of "Everyday Thin Places", it's finally time for our first ever Everyday Thin Places RETREAT!!!!! We discuss our differing opinions on taking baths, our motivations for being in water, what we think about retreat, and some ideas for small everyday opportunities for retreats before we make the big announcement that we're hosting a retreat! | |||
| Oruguitas y Mariposas | 14 Feb 2022 | 00:43:03 | |
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso break down the everyday thin places we experienced in the Disney film, Encanto. Encanto is amazing, and if you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and go watch this movie on Disney+. We will share some spoilers in this episode, but the movie is still worth watching even if it's been "spoiled". And of course, because this IS Everyday Thin Places, we talk about birth and death and the magic and gifts that these universal experiences are. Encanto is not just for children or people who love children. It's for everyone, and it's a great learning tool especially if you are looking to explore family dynamics, transitions, mystery, and healing. | |||
| Rest is Resistance: A conversation about (but not featuring) Tricia Hersey | 17 Feb 2025 | 00:45:38 | |
Tricia Hersey has been such an inspiration in our own lives, and having her on the podcast would be an absolute dream...but Tricia is protective of her time and really walks the walk of resting. So, we dedicate this episode to Tricia. In this episode, Rachael and Elizabeth are going to be chatting about everything from creating space for rest, the impact of rest, and rest as personal, spiritual, and political practice. Thank you for listening! Follow Everyday Thin Places on Instagram. | |||
| Your Chrysalis with Melissa Jill Clark | 31 Jan 2022 | 00:32:58 | |
Life Coach, Melissa Jill Clark joins us on the Everyday Thin Places podcast to talk about having all we need within us now, yoga as embodied prayer, and Melissa's poem that was recently published in book form: Your Chrysalis: A Message of Hope for End of Life. | |||
| Stories for Community-building featuring Matt Gorkos | 17 Jan 2022 | 00:40:51 | |
Today on the podcast, hosts Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso talk with Philadelphia-area-based pastor and author, Matt Gorkos. Matt has built Storied Church Ministry Consulting , focused on cultivating connections through stories. One of his latest efforts: The Storied Church: A Strategy for Congregational Renewal explores the power of a good story and how harnessing that power can be impactful in the church and beyond. | |||
| Happy Old Year, Happy New Year! (Again!) | 03 Jan 2022 | 00:22:18 | |
Today on the podcast we go down memory lane - 2021 has been another doozy. We reflect on our hopefulness and cautious optimism last year at this time. Rachael reflects on the struggles that existed in 2021 as well as her ideas of how life would be once vaccines became available, and then Elizabeth shares her resolution that she made last year and that she's carrying into 2022. Thanks for listening!
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| Rachael's Recent Thin Places | 27 Dec 2021 | 00:24:37 | |
In this special mini episode, Elizabeth interviews Rachael about the last six months of living back in her home state of Florida! Rachael talks about her latest projects and how this new lifestyle has become a thin place for her. Thanks for listening! | |||
| Elizabeth's Latest Thin Places | 20 Dec 2021 | 00:22:24 | |
On this week's episode, Elizabeth Varaso shares about her latest thin place endeavor.
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