Explore every episode of the podcast Everyday Thin Places
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ring the Bell with Jack Fritz | 19 août 2025 | 01:03:28 | |
Radio personality, podcast host, and author, Jack Fritz was kind enough to sit down with us to talk about all things Philadelphia Phillies! There were some GREAT moments including "Get these dads a ring!", a conversation on Phillies Fan Groups, and how the Phillies' winning (or losing) seasons inform generational expectations. Be listening for: Rachael finding other Phillies fans in the wild, generosity vs gatekeeping of Phillies fans, and how winning creates nice Philadelphians (as well as the ripple effect beyond just nice Philadelphians). Make sure to pick up Jack's book, Ring the Bell: How the Philadelphia Phillies Built Baseball's Best Fan Base. Give generously to the Darren Daulton Foundation. Listen to the High Hopes Podcast. Tune into Jack on the radio. Support the show by "buying us a coffee"! 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). | |||
| From race speed to "Rich Speed" with Rich Speeney | 16 juin 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 mai 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. | |||
| Somatic Practices with Jim Donnelly | 09 avr. 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 | |||
| Rest is Resistance: A conversation about (but not featuring) Tricia Hersey | 17 févr. 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. | |||
| REPLAY: Special Episode: Philly Sports Fanaticism as a Thin Place featuring Erik Johanson | 08 févr. 2025 | 00:55:19 | |
We first aired this episode 2 years ago when the Philadelphia Eagles were preparing to meet the Kansas City Chiefs at the Super Bowl. With a rematch scheduled this Sunday, we figured a replay of one of our favorite episodes was in order. From 2023 - 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. | |||
| Celebrating Imbolc - we are halfway to Spring! | 31 janv. 2025 | 00:44:44 | |
Rachael and Elizabeth discuss their *latest* update before diving into the timely topic of Imbolc. We talk about aligning our energy with the wheel of the year, how people have marked transitions through generations (think bonfires, planning for harvests, and slowly setting intentions), and Elizabeth shares a personal story about her sheep farm experience (spoiler alert: baby lambs can't control their bladders). And, of course, we get into some suggestions for listeners who want to mark Imbolc in their own lives! Tune in now to hear all this and more, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. Hosts: Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso Suggest new guests/topics for the podcast at everydaythinplaces@gmail.com Connect with Rachael and Elizabeth: | |||
| REPLAY: Trea Turner and The Rabbit Effect | 24 oct. 2024 | 00:44:50 | |
Another October, another sad ending for Philadelphia Sports fans. | |||
| REPLAY: Art, Music and Light with Dan Martin and Michael Biello | 13 sept. 2024 | 01:08:50 | |
We’re releasing this magical episode again to remind our steady listeners and to engage our new listeners around the amazing songs and monologues we call Elderland. When this episode was initially published, things were looking good and we thought we were on our way to a 2023 presentation of Elderland, but we encountered so many obstacles along the way that a year has passed and it hasn't happened yet...but it WILL! Dan Martin and Michael Biello are committed to creating something beautiful to share with the world but we need your help! We are fundraising for the project and we could really use all hands on deck! Here’s the link to making contributions to ELDERLAND via the non-profit umbrella, Fractured Atlas: https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/elderland Enjoy this episode, and then would you please share share share?! With so much gratitude, Rachael and Elizabeth | |||
| Teaching is Emotional with Diane Manser | 01 juil. 2024 | 00:50:29 | |
Slowly but surely making our way back into the podcast feed! Diane Manser is here to talk about being a highschool teacher and an author of the new book, I Didn't Sign Up For This: One Teacher's Journey Through Emotional Fatigue To Personal Empowerment. | |||
| Grandmother Stars, Mother Earth, Auntie Moon | 17 juin 2024 | 00:43:02 | |
We're celebrating a seven year plan coming together! Ever dreamt of seeing a solar eclipse in totality? Well, buckle up because Elizabeth and her whole family traveled to northeast Ohio and got to see a gorgeous day complete with 2024's solar eclipse. | |||
| We're Still Here! | 11 mars 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. | |||
| 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. | |||
| 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. | |||
| Psychedeladoula: Nicki Cowan | 28 août 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 août 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 juil. 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 juil. 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. | |||
| Where Possibility Plays - Rachael's Year of Truly Living | 19 juin 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 | |||
| Come on in, the water's fine! - Elizabeth's Year of Truly Living | 19 juin 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/ | |||
| Cheers to three years! Happy Third Anniversary Everyday Thin Places! | 15 juin 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! | |||
| Special Episode: Philly Sports Fanaticism as a Thin Place featuring Erik Johanson | 13 févr. 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 juin 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 mai 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 mai 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 avr. 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 avr. 2022 | 00:08:47 | |
Nope, this isn't a glitch or a mistake. | |||
| Building a Blended Family featuring Angela Dobryznski | 28 mars 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 mars 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 févr. 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 févr. 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. | |||
| Your Chrysalis with Melissa Jill Clark | 31 janv. 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 janv. 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 janv. 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 déc. 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 déc. 2021 | 00:22:24 | |
On this week's episode, Elizabeth Varaso shares about her latest thin place endeavor.
Everyday Thin Places is powered by subscribers like you! To keep all of our Everyday Thin Places content free and ad-free, consider buying us a cup of coffee to keep us going. | |||
| Miniature Thin Places | 13 déc. 2021 | 00:16:12 | |
Rachael and Elizabeth celebrate miniature things. Elizabeth shares about her household's delight in the thin places of miniature things and Rachael talks (again) about her love of small dogs. Then, we talk about the power of miniature things working their ways into places that larger things cannot: little things can have huge impacts. | |||
| REPLAY (Episode 29): Hanukkah featuring Dr. Liam Robins | 06 déc. 2021 | 00:45:20 | |
Just in time, it's the last night of Hanukkah and so we are replaying this episode from last year. | |||
| Cycle of Lives featuring David Richman | 29 nov. 2021 | 00:47:16 | |
This week Rachael and Elizabeth are hosting a conversation with David Richman, author of the book Cycle of Lives: 15 People's stories, 5,000 miles and a Journey through the Emotional Chaos of Cancer. | |||
| Happy Thanksgiving (& Receiving)! | 22 nov. 2021 | 00:07:05 | |
Rachael and Elizabeth give thanks for each other, for this podcast, and for our listeners. Plus, we take some time to share how you can help to support the podcast. Everyday Thin PLaces is powered by subscribers like you! To keep all our Everyday Thin Places content ad-free, consider making a donation by buying us a cup of coffee!
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| Generosity as a Thin Place | 15 nov. 2021 | 00:43:41 | |
This week, we bring you a conversation about generosity as a thin place.
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| Nostalgia as a Thin Place | 08 nov. 2021 | 00:40:00 | |
In celebration of the 65th episode of our podcast, this episode is all about nostalgia (New Kids on the Block, I Love Lucy, Goosebumps, etc.)! We are honored to take you on a nostalgic journey!
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| REPLAY (Episode 22) : Horror Films featuring Jennifer Moorman | 01 nov. 2021 | 00:36:38 | |
Rachel & Elizabeth have referenced this conversation so many times recently that it seemed worthy of a replay! Even with Halloween just having passed, you may still be in the mood for a good horror film, and the insights that film scholar and expert Jennifer Moorman has to offer will have you experiencing, yes, even horror films, as a thin place. | |||
| Activism and Theology as Thin Places featuring Dr. Drew Hart | 25 oct. 2021 | 00:41:51 | |
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso discuss activism and theology as a thin place with Dr. Drew Hart. Drew is a writer and a speaker on topics of justice black theology, Anabaptism, and white supremacy and he follows in a long line of theologists who have done theology on the fly in the midst of struggling with justice and liberation. You’ll want to check out Drew’s books: Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism and Who Will Be A Witness? Igniting Activism for God’s Justice, Love, and Deliverance. Mentioned on the show:
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| Curiosity as a Thin Place | 18 oct. 2021 | 00:33:46 | |
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso check in with honesty, authenticity, and humor about curiosity as a thin place. We begin by talking about Elizabeth's far-fetched husband and his skeptical nature versus Elizabeth's curious nature. After talking through all the possible ways to view the world, Rachael and Elizabeth land on a good healthy way to go through life. | |||
| Changing Your Mind with Halley Kim | 11 oct. 2021 | 00:56:52 | |
It's our first repeat guest! This Podcast Will Kill You Please consider a donation to support the work of Voices for Vaccines | |||
| The Joy of Pets | 04 oct. 2021 | 00:41:27 | |
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso discuss what pets have to teach us about birth and death, and truly living. Understanding our personal relationships with pets is an important part of understanding ourselves. We support our life's journey when we embrace caregiving, whether it be another person or an animal. | |||
| Truly Living with Autism featuring Eileen Shaklee | 27 sept. 2021 | 00:40:56 | |
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso enjoy a conversation with Eileen Shaklee, aka "Mama Fry," who blogs at "Autism With A Side of Fries." Eileen first began blogging about life with her french-fry-loving Autistic son 9 years ago, and has built an online community where the unique joys and challenges of living with Autism can be shared. | |||
| Building a Family Through Infertility with Tara McAlonan | 20 sept. 2021 | 01:01:18 | |
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso have the privilege of talking through how Tara McAlonan's family has come to be, challenge by challenge, heartbreak by heartbreak and how it all led to the adoption of Cade Francis. We are delighted to share this with you! | |||
| Grief & Creativity | 13 sept. 2021 | 01:01:26 | |
In this episode, we interview Elizabeth's first Philadelphia friend, Shera Morris. We have the privilege of talking through how creativity helped her to find thin places even when going through grief. We are delighted to share this conversation with you! | |||