Explore every episode of the podcast Compass Podcast: Finding the spirituality in the day-to-day

Reverend Corey Turnpenny invites us on an awe-inspiring exploration of spirituality harmonized with the beauty of the natural world. Learn about the innovative faith community, Church in the Wild, where worship occurs beneath open skies, embracing the rhythms of nature and fostering a sense of belonging for those who feel spiritually homeless. Corey Turnpenny is … Continue reading "[151] How Church in the Wild connects faith and nature"

Transforming Life and Faith: Ben Gosden on Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday. Join us for an inspiring discussion with Ben Gosden as he shares his transformative journey through addiction, recovery, and the ever-present grace that guided him back to spiritual alignment. Explore Ben’s insights on how the tenets of recovery not only shape one’s … Continue reading "[150] Spiritual Lessons from Recovery: Ben Gosden on Faith and Transformation"

Discovering Faith Through Questions with Erin Moon on Compass: Finding Spirituality in the Everyday. Join host Ryan Dunn in a conversation with Erin Hicks Moon, a dynamic podcaster and author of the upcoming book “I’ve Got Questions.” Together, they investigate the powerful role of curiosity in deepening one’s faith and navigating skepticism. Explore themes like … Continue reading "[149] Humor, theology, and asking the deepest questions with Erin Hicks Moon"

Let’s get dirty and honest about our often voyeuristic relationship with the divine — and how prayer can profoundly disrupt and enrich our everyday lives. Explore the curious phenomena of spiritual fascination from a safe distance and the transformative power of genuine engagement with the divine through prayer. Rev. Ryan Dunn uses relatable analogies, like … Continue reading "[148] Spiritual voyeurs and engaging with the Divine"

Matthew Ian Fleming on Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday. Matthew dives deep into the enigmatic Book of Revelation, shedding light on its broader message of hope, justice, and new creation, far from its often misinterpreted doom and gloom reputation. Learn about his unique approach to understanding Revelation, anchored by Psalm 139, and its relevance … Continue reading "[147] Revelation’s Real Story: Hope, Justice, and God Amidst Chaos"

Join us on this special episode of Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday as we celebrate Rethink Church’s impactful journey by revisiting some of their most beloved stories from 2024. Dive into the heart of community, mindfulness, and spiritual practices, all while exploring how innovative faith expressions can redefine modern spirituality. In this episode, you … Continue reading "[146] Your favorite Rethink Church stories of 2024"

Edith and Randy Woodley invite us to rediscover our connection with nature, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of community-based ecological practices. Uncover their approach to land stewardship, communal living, and the rejection of individualism for a more holistic and balanced way of living. Edith and Randy Woodley are passionate environmentalists and … Continue reading "[145] Contentment and connecting with all life with Edith and Randy Woodley"

We’re working through our fear and fostering a bit of empathy in this conversation with Rev. Dr. Paul Burns on Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday. Join us as Paul Burns dives deep into the core of human spirituality and relationships, addressing the instinctual divisions between people and how finding common ground can create bridges … Continue reading "[144] Measuring your spiritual intelligence with Paul Burns"

It’s an exploration of the mysterious, spooky, awe-inspiring realm of Halloween. This episode looks at Halloween questions through scripture, tradition, reason, and experience—the Wesleyan quadrilateral—to uncover multifaceted answers. We’ll ponder biblical stories, explore John Wesley’s haunted childhood home, and consider contemporary beliefs about life after death. Moreover, we’ll reflect on the role of fear and … Continue reading "[143] Do Christians believe in ghosts? And other Halloween questions"

We’re unleashing the power of “Rage Prayers” with Reverend Elizabeth Riley. Dive into the transformative practice of honest, heartfelt prayers that express our deepest emotions and frustrations. Explore how embracing our anger and lament can lead to spiritual healing and personal transformation. Rev. Elizabeth is an Episcopal priest currently serving in the Diocese of Olympia, … Continue reading "[142] Rage prayers and authentic peace with Elizabeth Riley"

We’re exploring the innovative ways churches in Northern Virginia are blending spirituality and community outreach–from improv church to affordable housing. In this episode of Compass, we’re visiting four unique and innovative expressions of church in Northern Virginia and Maryland. See how Central United Methodist Church in the Ballston neighborhood renovated their old church building in … Continue reading "[141] Community, comedy and church renovation"

We’re borrowing an important interview from the MyCom Podcast. Host Ryan Dunn talked with Rev. J.J. Warren about what defines a church and how J.J. is putting the definition into practice through the Church of the Young Prophets. Drawing from his theological background and experiences with the Young Prophets Collective, J.J. discusses the evolution of virtual … Continue reading "[140] Real church in digital space with J.J. Warren"

Neelley Hicks shares her experience that landed her picture in papers across the globe, stemming from a recent Unity Rally in Nashville, Tennessee. It was attended by a diverse and vibrant community and disrupted by the alarming presence of Neo-Nazis. This episode looks into the complex emotions and motivations behind such extremist actions and explores … Continue reading "[139] From hate to hope: Neelley Hicks"

We’re tackling the topic of living out our faith in a complex and often polarized world. Recently, the outrage sparked by the opening ceremonies of the Paris 2024 Olympics, particularly a controversial scene perceived to mock Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” has ignited debates and outraged responses. We’ll explore how to express our faith … Continue reading "[138] Faith and outrage: Jesus’ teachings in a polarized culture"

Summarizing Faith and Theology with Bruce Reyes-Chow on Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday. Bruce shares the importance of distilling and articulating beliefs in simple, digestible formats. Discover his innovative concept of a “faith montage” and how it serves as a primer on progressive Christianity to guide individuals through faith deconstruction and reconstruction. Bruce Reyes-Chow … Continue reading "[137] Crafting a clarity of belief with Bruce Reyes-Chow"

Pastor David Livingston discusses the concept of abundant life and how it can be experienced in the present. He emphasizes that abundant life is not solely about material well-being or a perfect life, but rather about finding spiritual and emotional well-being in the midst of life’s challenges. Pastor Livingston shares his personal experience with anxiety … Continue reading "[136] Conflict, faith and growth with David Livingston"

Unpacking the mysteries of hell and love with Derek Kubilus on Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday. Derek takes us on a thought-provoking journey through the complex relationship between a God of love and the concept of eternal torment. Explore his ideas on purgatorial universalism, the evolution of hell in Christian theology, and how these … Continue reading "[135] Exploring Hell, Purgatory, and God’s Love with Derek Kubilus"

Rediscover centering and spirituality with Andrew Lang on “Compass: Finding Spirituality in the Everyday.” Andrew Lang, a guiding voice in spiritual practices, shares transformative insights on integrating centering practices into daily life, overcoming the “dark night of the soul,” and finding creative ways to connect with our spirituality. Listen in as Lang explains how centering … Continue reading "[134] Spiritual practices for busy lives with Andrew Lang"

Curious about maintaining compassion and engaging in meaningful conversations in your daily life? On Compass 133, join Ryan Dunn as he speaks with John Pavlovitz about finding common ground and exploring spirituality amidst life’s challenges. Discover how to navigate differences with empathy, find solace in nature, and embrace your faith journey authentically. John shares his … Continue reading "[133] Cultivating empathy in polarized times: Insights from John Pavlovitz"

We’re exploring a pivotal moment in the life of the United Methodist Church—the historic 2024 General Conference held in Charlotte, North Carolina. This conference marked a significant turning point, as 93% of the delegates voted to lift long-standing bans on the ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy and the hosting of same-sex weddings by clergy and churches. … Continue reading "[132] A historic shift in inclusion for the United Methodist Church"

The United Methodist Church is going to be in the news due to the big General Conference Gathering. Here’s why. ALSO, we’re going to miss a couple of full episodes due to the big event. We’ll be back with new episodes on May 15, 2024.

Join us as Dr. Richard Beck discusses mysticism in daily life, and how enchantment can transform our view in “Hunting Magic Eels.” Feeling world-weary? Richard discusses how moral beauty & acts of kindness can awaken awe. Explore the mystical in the mundane on the Compass Podcast! Richard is a Professor of Psychology at Abilene Christian … Continue reading "[131] Keeping Christianity weird with Dr Richard Beck"

Are you sometimes afraid to ask questions about faith and spirituality? Does doubt scare you a little bit? Do you have some questions you’re skeptical about ever finding the answers to? Debie Thomas’s approach to faith as a storied theology challenges the conventional beliefs. Her insights offer a refreshing perspective on the dynamic nature of … Continue reading "[130] Faith vacations and lostness with Debie Thomas"

Lenny duncan takes us through a spiritual journey in hip-hop on Compass. Engage in conversations about systemic change and personal faith. If you want to hear some cultural commentary from a spiritual perspective, if you want to explore how hip-hop music speaks to both our human experience and our longing for spiritual connection, and if … Continue reading "[129] Beats, peacemaking and authenticity with lenny duncan"

We’re talking with Christine Valters Paintner about the spiritual significance of fasting and Lent. Christine, the founder of the Online Abbey of the Arts, shares her insights on how fasting can go beyond traditional ideas of abstaining from food and can instead be a way to open ourselves to a deeper encounter with the divine. … Continue reading "[128] Lent, fasting and spiritual nourishment with Christine Valters Paintner"

Faith, science and life calling! In this episode, we have the pleasure of talking with Rev. Kara Slade, an engineer turned priest whose journey from the world of mechanical engineering to the pulpit is an interesting blend of spirituality and professional transformation.  Rev. Canon Dr. Kara Slade holds a PhD in Christian theology and ethics … Continue reading "[127] Engaging faith and reason: Kara Slade’s spiritual journey"

We’re talking with Rev. Heather Jallad about the creative, fun and innovative ways that church is coming together and meeting the world. It’s an invitation to Rethink Church. This episode of Compass dives into new expressions of church like Dinner Church and Messy Church. It’s all inspiring… and it gets us thinking about how we, … Continue reading "[126] Church Rethought: Embracing Unconventional Spaces for Community and Spirituality"

In this episode, we sit down with Abigail Browka, the curator of the Everyday Sanctuary app, and we get into the importance of real-life experiences and faith journeys.  Pastor Abigail shares profound insights into tapping into creative spirituality, from the necessity of supporting one another in our spiritual paths to the role of brief, accessible … Continue reading "[125] Cultivating everyday spirituality in 2024 with Abigail Browka"

Ryan Dunn addresses the struggle to find peace during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Offering contemplative practices for a more peaceful Christmas, Ryan explores ways to connect with God’s loving and peaceful spirit during this special time of year. From leveraging inconveniences as moments of reflection to turning preparations into prayers, listeners … Continue reading "[124] Contemplative practices for a peaceful Christmas"

Niceness in church communities can sometimes conceal deeper issues of injustice. It’s important to disrupt the status quo and engage in conversations about patriarchy, inequality, and systems of oppression. In this episode, you probably want to listen for the ways in niceness, though well-meaning, can be a hindrance to equality and justice. Also listen for … Continue reading "[123] Nice church, not nice patriarchy: A conversation with Liz Cooledge Jenkins"

We’ll explore questions like: Does God need our worship? Are some sins worse than others? How does spirituality affect mental health? Can science and religion coexist? Where do we see evidence of God? And why would a good God allow for evil? We’ll provide perspectives and insights on these questions, emphasizing that our answers are … Continue reading "Quick takes on tough questions of the Christian faith"

The Compass Podcast looks into a topic that has been making headlines and stirring heated debates: the Israel and Gaza conflict. Specifically, we will address a perplexing phenomenon: the religiously driven blind support of Israeli militarism by some Christians. What theological perspectives drive such a fascination with this conflict and where did those ideas come … Continue reading "[121] Israel, conflict, end times and interventions of peace"

Join us as we explore the intersection of faith, culture, and personal experiences with Rev. Mark Feldmeir. Mark’s faith journey led him to question the nature of God’s power, especially in the face of suffering and evil. He emphasized that God’s power is not coercive or unilateral, but rather persuasive. Mark also reflected on the … Continue reading "[120] Discovering evidence of the Divine in everyday moments with Mark Feldmeir"

Hosts Ryan Dunn and Michelle Maldonado, alongside guest Ashley Boggan, take us on a journey to uncover the distinctiveness of the Methodist faith. Initially produced as part of the United Methodist Podcast-a-thon, this episode offers insightful perspectives from Dr. Ashley Boggan, the general secretary of the United Methodist Church’s General Commission on Archives and History. … Continue reading "[119] What makes United Methodists different?"

Are you ready to explore the intersections of artificial intelligence and spirituality? Join us on the latest episode of Compass as we dive into the impact of AI on the Christian spiritual journey. We navigate the potential benefits and pitfalls of integrating AI into our everyday spirituality, play around with AI Jesus entities, and hear … Continue reading "[118] Artificial intelligence and your spiritual journey"

Rev. Josh Scott, author of “Bible Stories for Grown Ups” explores with us the paradoxical possibilities of the Bible’s ancient narratives. We dive deep into the serious question of faith: “What do we make of the seeming contradictions and inconsistencies in the Bible?” Josh helps us see how asking these tough, discomforting questions can become … Continue reading "[117] Does the Bible contradict itself? With Josh Scott"

It’s time for cosmic theology as we examine the spiritual depths of Star Wars and Star Trek. Covering everything from Jedi to Klingons, Michelle Maldonado and Ryan Dunn are going boldly forth seeking the spiritual in space. Join us as we explore the theological reflections found in these iconic franchises. For episodes and notes, visit … Continue reading "116: The Force and the Final Frontier"

Reverend Jerry Herships shares his unique perspective on creating a nontraditional community that connects with something bigger and provides a sense of belonging. Jerry has worked as stand-up comedian. He wrote for Jay Leno. He’s authored a couple books, including Last Call: from serving drinks to serving Jesus and Rogue Saints: Spirituality for Good Hearted … Continue reading "Re-listen: Rediscovering church with Jerry Herships"

Rev. Canaday shared with us his story of recovery in alcoholism and finding deep connection with a higher power. This connection led Ryan to explore the power of support groups and specifically the role of spirituality in recovery. All this ultimately led to Ryan founding a church based on recovery. We’re five years on from … Continue reading "114: [Re-listen] Wagon of grace with Ryan Canaday"

Art and prayer share much in common–so much so that art can lead us into prayer and connection with the Divine. In this episode of Compass, Michelle and Ryan try out two art-based spiritual practices… and they provide directions on how you can utilize these practices as well. To see “The Annunciation” by Henry Ossawa … Continue reading "113: Art and your spiritual journey"

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the busyness of life? In the latest episode of Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday, Ryan Dunn invites listeners to disrupt their busyness through loving-kindness meditation. The episode features a discussion on the benefits of loving-kindness meditation on mental well-being and relationships. Here are three key takeaways from the … Continue reading "112: Disrupt Your Busy Life and Cultivate a Heart of Loving Kindness with this Meditation"

On this episode of Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday, host Ryan Dunn, a former youth minister, explores the factors that contribute to people leaving the church. Ryan starts by sharing how a student’s experience made him question the effectiveness of ministry for young people. The episode covers seven reasons for people leaving the church, … Continue reading "111: Why People Are Leaving Church: 7 Reasons Explored"

Through May, our articles focused on the work of the Holy Spirit… which we’ll see can show up in some surprising places. In this edition of the audiomagazine, we’ll hear: (00:00) Introduction to the Rethink Church audiomagazine (00:43) “The amazing ways God is working right now” (06:02) “How to live a Spirit-filled life” (11:06) “Why … Continue reading "Spirit-filled: May 2023 Rethink Church audiomagazine"

Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III reflects on his upbringing with parents involved in the civil rights movement and his journey towards identifying with the black prophetic and spiritual tradition within the black church. He also dives into everyday disruptions by stressing the importance of intentional, slow connections with God through activities like walks and bike … Continue reading "110: Linking love and justice with Otis Moss III"

We delve into the topic of iconoclasm and the conflict it causes in communities as they grapple with troubling figures from their spiritual history. From Confederate statues in Richmond to famous theologians who have committed atrocities, we explore how we evaluate historical figures through multiple lenses and the importance of deep discernment in Christian leadership. … Continue reading "109: From heroes to villains: The role of iconoclasm with Diana Butler Bass"

We’re talking diversity, inclusion, integration, hope, the church and divine intervention with John Blake. John has some interesting stories to tell about family and relationships… including his relationship with the church. John Blake is an award-winning journalist for CNN.com. His 2020 essay, “There’s One Epidemic We May Never Find a Cure For: Fear of Black … Continue reading "108: John Blake explores the world-changing power of relationships"

Special release. On the morning of March 27, 2023, a gunman entered Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, and shot 6 people to death. This event was a catalyst in Nashville, leading to protests, political intrigue and division, and the organization of a wide base of religious leaders. In this episode of Compass, Michelle Maldonado and … Continue reading "Faith in Action: Examining the Moral Monday Protest in Nashville"

The April 2023 edition of the Rethink Church audiomagazine presented on the Compass podcast. In this edition, we present the latest stories and one classic read from the Rethink Church website. Throughout April 2023, our content focused on faithfulness. We’ll hear: “The growing pains of faithfulness” by Madison Myers https://www.umc.org/en/content/the-growing-pains-of-faithfulness  “What happens when we make … Continue reading "Faithfulness: April 2023 Rethink Church audiomagazine"

Restlessness is not comfortable. We’d rather not spend too much time dwelling on thoughts of missing out… or of doubt… or spend too much time dwelling on mundanity of life. That’s not a comfortable place to be. So when someone like Casey Tygrett comes along suggesting that restlessness is a gift because it opens us … Continue reading "107: When restlessness is a gift"

Rev. Richenda Fairhurst shares about the relationship between our faith, spirituality and concern for our environment. This concern compels us to respond to climate change. Rev. Richenda shares several action steps for combating climate change–both personal actions and community action. Richenda Fairhust was trained by the Climate Reality Project and Center for Earth Ethics Ministers’ … Continue reading "106: Climate change and taking spiritual action in response"