The Why, What, and How of Spiritual Direction (with Tara Owens)

Aaron asks Rev Stephanie three questions about what it means to be a Christ-follower in the world right now, and helps us all reflect on our own lives. First, what location has shaped your faith in helpful and unhelpful ways?  Second, why is it so important to gather these days rather than isolate? Third, why have you not given up on the Way of Jesus?

Tara Owens joins Aaron Niequist to reflect on the why, what, and how of Spiritual Direction. Tara is the founder and executive director of Anam Cara Ministries where she has been companioning others for nearly 20 years as a certified spiritual director and supervisor.

Aaron Niequist invites us into the practice of Centering Prayer. He shares the story of how this practice helped him heal through a difficult season, and guides a short centering prayer during the episode.  Show notes, links, and further next steps are at The Between Retreats Substack.

Author and Teacher Sophfronia Scott reflects on the power of language to both destroy and mend the world, and then teaches a brilliant practice to help us see each other as we truly are. Both an inspiring and deeply practical episode. Show notes, links, and next steps at the Between Retreats Substack. Join us!

Author, therapist, and priest Ian Morgan Cron helps us engage Practices to Prevent a Civil War through the lens of his upcoming book on the Twelves Steps. A fascinating and really insightful conversation. Show notes, links, and next steps are at the Between Retreats Substack.

Dave Davis and David Katibah from The Telos Group join us to talk about October 7th, Gaza, and the widening violence in the middle east. Out of the realities on the ground, they appeal to diverse communities of American peacemakers to stand with both Palestinians and Israelis to sustain dignity, freedom, and security for all. And they offer Six Principles and Practices of Peacemaking to help us participate. Powerful.  All six practices, along with links and next steps, are at the Between Retreats Substack. Join us!

Spiritual Director Nina Barnes helps us reflect on the great cloud of witnesses, the anger and cynicism of being awake right now, and the necessity of carrying each other.  Join us at The Between Retreats Substack for notes, links, and more.

Justice advocate and author Shane Claiborne helps us engage our hearts and our hands in the needs of the country. Especially the poor and forgotten. After sharing a couple stories, Shane teaches a historic practice to help us remove the plank in our own eye before we attempt to remove the speck in our neighbor's eye. Join us at The Between Retreats Substack for notes, links, and more.

Author Shauna Niequist invites us to stop scrolling and begin gathering. She reminds us about the power of the table and the necessity of being face to face with those we love and those we don't yet understand. A compelling and highly practical episode. Join us at The Between Retreats Substack for notes, links, and more.

Poet and Preacher Drew Jackson reflects on the apocalyptic times we live in and the calling of the American church while things crumble. To carry us through these days, he calls us toward hope and teaches a powerful breath prayer from Colossians 3. Join us at The Between Retreats Substack for notes, links, and more.