Poema Podcast

Episode 44 | Deconstructing Faith with The Deconstructionists

John Williamson and Adam Narloch, AKA The Deconstructionists join me today. John & Adam are two friends with a nerdy passion for discovery, deconstruction, grace, acceptance, authenticity and humble wrestling. They run a hugely successful podcast, 'The Deconstructionists' where they discuss this themselves & with guests. 
Today they share their story, and in the process we talk about faith, doubt, certainty, and how to hold our faith - even those things we are certain of - with open hands, so we can keep on growing & deepening our spirituality.
John & Adam are top dudes with great wisdom, insight and enthusiasm - join us today & you'll learn so much from them, as I did. 
*****
(NB: Apologies, later on in the show we had an issues with sound quality - keep listening, it works itself out!)

Episode 43 | Alexander Shaia & The Four Stages Of Quadratos

Alexander Shaia joins me today to explore a revolutionary way of reading & understanding the gospels which he calls 'Quadratos' - a four fold journey of identity & transformation. 
We explore how this journey takes us back to Jesus as 'the' Christ, and opens us to read the gospels in the ancient & now restored sequence for Sunday worship - and as we do, to understand what these books really meant to those who read them.
Finally, we explore the four stages of the Quadratos journey:
First Path: How do we face change? - Matthew
Second Path: How do we move through suffering? - Mark
Third Path: How do we receive joy? - John
Fourth Path: How do we mature in service? - Luke
Join me and Alexander as we explore this journey - it could transform how you read & understand the gospels - and scripture itself - forever. 

Episode 42 | Lisa Delay & Ignatian Spirituality

Lisa Delay from the Spark My Muse podcast returns to James Talks today to talk about spiritual practices from what's called 'ignatian spirituality'. Lisa shares how these can help give us spiritual discernment and make wiser decisions about what we're going to do with our lives. 
You can find out more about this work in Lisa's book, 'Forked', which is available on Amazon now. Connect with Lisa at on Twitter at @LisaDelay or at her website www.LisaDelay.com. 

Episode 41 | 'Science' Mike McHargue on Becoming An Atheist & Rediscovering Jesus Through Science

Mike McHargue, from the 'Science Mike' & 'Liturgists' podcasts, joins me today and shares his powerful and deeply moving testimony, of how he lost his faith, became an atheist, and then rediscovered the way of Jesus in a whole new way - grounded in reason, science, logic...and wonder. 
We also talk about the fascinating interconnections between science and spirituality, and, the idea that how we were created scientifically, is connected to how we relate to God & should impact how we live in the world.
You won't want to miss this. 

Episode 40 | The Two Doctors: 3 Proven Secrets to Healthy Balance with Dr Kate Hendricks Thomas & Dr Theresa Larson

Dr Kate Hendricks Thomas & Dr Theresa Larson both return to the podcast today, as we discuss in more detail the three scientifically proven principles for a healthy balanced life, as Kate outlines in her book, 'Brave Strong True'.
Kate, Theresa and I discuss the three principles of social support, self-care and spirituality/religiosity, how they are key to our individual thriving, and how science shows their benefits to our lives. Kate & Theresa both have expert knowledge and wisdom in this field and they share some fascinating insights from their own knowledge and experience, on a topic which is potentially life changing. 
Dr Thomas' book, which outlines these principles in more details, is out now. And Dr Larson's new book 'Warrior', where she shares her own powerful journey (as she touched on in Episode 38 last week) was released only a week ago.

Episode 39 | Chasing Lovely Return - Creativity, Spirituality & Other Interesting Things (Wolfie Part II)

Chasing Lovely, the musical/creative duo of Chloe & Taylor Turner, return to James Talks today. They were my first ever guests, and appropriately enough, are my first returning guests. 
Today I catch up with the Taylor sisters, talk about their latest work, seasons of life both in work & creativity, why they are stopping touring for a while, and what lies ahead for them creatively. We also talk about the interesting & endless connections between spirituality and creativity. And of course, we have a lot fun too!

Episode 38 | Dr Theresa Larson on Wellness, Grief & Finding Our Inner Warrior

Dr Theresa Larson joins me today. Dr Larson is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and the founder of Movement Rx, a physical therapy and wellness company that offers support to wounded warriors and individuals with health and movement issues. She has just released her first book, a memoir called 'Warrior'
Today Theresa shares her own powerful story of overcoming grief and bulimia nervosa, how she overcome demands for perfection, in life, healthy, and career, and discovered a warrior spirit within herself In the process, she discovered the rhythms and science of what a healthy life, and person wellness, looks like - for both her, and all of us.
Dr Larson shares great practical advice, on personal wellness & some basic tips on how to live a healthier life, and discover our own inner warrior, even in the midst of struggle.

Episode 37 | Nish Weiseth on Mental Illness, Hope & Speaking Our Story

Nish Weiseth, author, speaker, mom & fan of Dr Pepper, joins me today. With great vulnerability, Nish shares her own powerful story, including her struggles with depression, and how this shaped both her faith & her creative life. 
Nish also shares how she discovered the incredible power of story to shape lives, and began a website as an expression of this. A site which took her on the path to a writing & speaking career, and writing a book 'Speak' on the power of story.
Nish is insightful, fun, down to earth and authentic, and has so much wisdom to share with us.
You can find more of Nish's work at nishweiseth.com

Episode 36 | Rob Bell Is Here!

Rob Bell, NYT Bestselling Author of Love Wins & several other books, international speaker, podcaster & former Pastor, joins me today. 
We discuss major events in Rob's spiritual journey (including a Midnight Oil concert), what hope is, and where he sees both culture and the church progressing in the coming years. 
We discuss in depth his new book 'How To Be Here' and what it means to be fully present in our own lives, how to create the life we want for ourselves & the world, sabbath, and why sometimes being true to your calling means staying in your crappy job.
Rob has so much wisdom and insight into living a meaningful, deeply spiritual life and it was such a blast to talk to him. Have a listen, and let Rob inspire you. 
You can find Rob's work (and yes, I think you should read/watch/listen to everything he's done) at RobBell.com

Episode 35 | Anita Wing Lee & The Soul Of Humanity Project

Anita Wing Lee, Periscoper, communicator & writer, joins me today to talk about a really important cause. The Soul Of Humanity is a book of stories, photos and creative work surrounding the story of refugee crisis, with all profits going to aid awareness and give direct support to the refugees themselves. 
Their project is on Kickstarter, and today Anita shares about the genesis of the project, it's importance, and invites you to contribute to this potentially life-saving project.