Anna Tivel on Animal Poem, Short Stories, and Checking Your Shoes

"Through her graceful poetry and pristine instrumentation, the folk singer delivers indictments of modern indignities alongside moments of hope." — Pitchfork Anna Tivel is an award-winning songwriter and musician from Portland, Oregon. In our conversation we traverse many topics; short stories, poetry, checking for shit on your shoes, and Anna's latest spellbinding album, Animal Poem. For me, this felt like old friends talking about matters close to the heart despite this being our first real conversation. Anna Tivel is thoughtful, funny, inquisitive, and one of the best working songwriters out there. Pick a copy of Animal Poem at Fluff & Gravy Records. Visit Anna Tivel at annativel.com | IG: @annativel Visit Contemplify.com for show notes.

"Here is a rosary of soaring myth, gripping narrative, and deep wisdom, all told with breathtaking verve that enchants and sweeps us along, from first word to last. A superb, inspiring read." — Gabor Maté, author of The Myth of Normal Dr. Martin Shaw a writer, mythographer, wilderness guide, and Christian thinker. In our conversation we delve into his latest book, Liturgies of the Wild: Myths That Make Us. A book that any personal library would benefit from. Shaw delivers a rousing grasp of the mythic life from a poetic lens of the dream of Christianity. A master storyteller with wit and wisdom, that will have you smiling as resonant tears well in your eyes.  Visit Dr. Martin Shaw at drmartinshaw.com | IG: @drmartinshaw | Substack: The House of Beasts & Vines Visit contemplify.com for shownotes.

Season 7 is hatching. A series of conversations has come together, mighty and beautiful folks offering feathered insight and story from their unique perch in the world (I am going to shift things up a bit and share a conversation once a month for Season 7).  But first, here and now, Teddy Macker is going to share a piece that gave me goosebumps the first time I encountered it. If Contemplify had a poet laureate, Teddy would surely be it. So sit back and receive this "VISION FOR A NEW CABINET: A Proposal of Possibilities for the Next American President" written and read by Teddy Macker. First episode of Season 7 will land in February.

Musing on obituaries with your name on it.

Remembering Lerita Coleman Brown

Musing on my personal non-liturgical liturgical calendar that runs from December 11 - December 10 each calendar year.

"In radiant, lyrical prose, Gail Straub takes us on a voyage like no other, both into little-known places across the globe and, most memorably, the inner realms of the soul. …..this is a journey that no reader will forget and, I believe, all readers will, in their own way, hope to emulate." — Andrew Carroll Author and empowerment pioneer Gail Straub's latest book Home Inside the Globe: Embracing Our Human Family. This is Gail's second time on Contemplify (hear our first conversation here), and like our previous conversation we find the heart of the conversation in the flow of presence in the sacred. The writing of Gail Straub inspires me to draw from the currents of our shared humanity, to witness and honor the profound connections that transcend all borders. I think she will do the same for you. Visit Gail Straub at gailstraub.com Visit Contemplify.com for shownotes

Mark Longhurst is an author and contemplative guide who has spent years exploring the sacred dimensions of everyday life. In our conversation we talk about his book The Holy Ordinary: A Way to God, a beautiful invitation to discover the divine presence woven throughout our daily movements. Mark draws on his experiences as an activist, pastor, father, husband, art enthusiast as a way to gladly open portals to the sacred. The Holy Ordinary is for all of us mudblood mystics out in the world. Visit Mark Longhrust at Substack | IG: @ordinary.mystic Visit contemplify.com for shownotes.

Haleh Liza Gafori is a translator, performance artist, vocalist, and educator whose work bridges ancient Persian mysticism with contemporary spiritual longing. In our conversation we talk about her latest book Water, a luminous collection of new translations from the 13th-century Persian mystic Rumi, following her acclaimed debut Gold (you can find our first conversation on Gold in the Contemplify archives). I am moved by Haleh's ability to make these masterworks sing, bringing Rumi's timeless wisdom about surrender, divine love, and ecological awakening to this moment. Visit Haleh Liza Gafori at halehliza.com | IG: @halehliza visit contemplify.com for shownotes

"This book is just what the world needs right now. At a time when tensions are hot, divisions are growing, and uncertainty is the order of the day, Sacred Parenting is a call to reconnect with what matters most: our children, our families, ourselves, and our God. The authors offer gentle wisdom and contemplative practices as antidotes to the high-volume, fast-paced, do-or-die world in which we live." — David M. Csinos, founder and president of Faith Forward, research director for Family Faith Every Day Rev. Dr. Aizaiah G. Yong and Rev. Nereyda "Neddy" Yong, authors, speakers, and incarnational advocates for contemplative parenting. In our conversation we talk about their book Sacred Parenthood: Spiritual Practices for the Highs and Lows of Parenting, a profound exploration of how we can approach raising children as a spiritual practice and sacred calling. Aizaiah is the executive director of @Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research at Saint John's Abbey and University. Neddy is the Director of the Radically Inclusive Parenting Project. Aizaiah and Neddy bring a beautiful blend of contemplative insight and practicality that I will transform the way you think about the ragged and holy work of raising children. Visit Aizaiah G. Yong at collegevilleinstitute.org Visit Nereyda "Neddy" Yong at inclusiveparents.org Visit contemplify.com for episode shownotes