Souls in Soles
Exploring the Spiritual Spectrum: a podcast for seekers and questioners
Beth’s podcast is akin to gathering around a cozy hearth, deep in conversation with new found kindred spirits.
The podcast Souls in Soles has been on a bit of an unintentional hiatus for over a year now. It's fair to say it's been a fallow time in my life. I moved, one year ago, across the continent, leaving behind communities that had grown up around me for over a decade. I might have underestimated the impact of such a huge life shift. A year in, I now find myself on the cusp of something new, I feel my soul reviving more each day. All of this is to say: the podcast is coming back. Season three will launch in late August 2024. Sign up for my newsletter to be sure to not miss an episode!
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When I embark on conversations with diverse people in Souls in Soles, my aspiration is to unveil the hidden beauty that graces our world. Delving beneath the surface, I aim to unearth the very roots of these guests’ lives - the rich soil of struggle, grief, and uncertainty that fuels their fireside narratives.
This podcast emerges as an outgrowth of my Christian faith… let me explain! I’m part of an emerging cadre of leaders carving out space for an expression of Christianity that is all-embracing and perpetually inquisitive. Amidst the clamor of prevailing Christian voices that often resonate with judgment, exclusion, and even animosity, my intent is not to engage in divisive discourse. I seek, instead, to stand firmly on the bedrock of my faith, illuminating an inquiring, vulnerable, and questioning rendition of contemporary Christianity.
This journey isn’t confined to dialogues with Christians alone. I speak with scientists, journalists, musicians, yogis, artists, and more. I speak with those who have left the church and those who have never, and will never, cross its threshold. The spiritual but not religious and the devoutly religious, equally captivate my interest.
In every conversation, there’s a common thread - a quest for purpose, a desire to better oneself, and a conviction to contribute to their communities of influence. I go below the surface, delving into inner motivations, moments of vulnerability, and the lessons that seem perpetually elusive. By highlighting those who embody the essence of a fulfilled life, I underscore the profound similarity between them and those of us who believe our journey is riddled with stumbling blocks.
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If you’re interested in:
- Down-to-earth talk on high holy matters
- Insights into people’s spiritual epiphanies
- Candid discussions about the challenges of profound exploration
- heart to heart conversations on heartache, hope, fear, love, and the grand tapestry of spirituality that brings us to our knees…
I invite you to tune in. I’m always receptive to suggestions for fresh topics and new guests. Feel free to reach out to me via email (click here).
S:3 E:4 Bruce Epperly
Dr. Bruce Epperly is done with the polarization of our North American society. But instead of complaining he's actively inviting people to seek better stories to inform our lives. His new book "Homegrown Mystics: Restoring Our Nation with the Healing Wisdom of America's Visionaries," is balm for weary souls. In this conversation we talk about how the wisdom of the mystic tradition can help us to find our grounding in a world that seems to be unravelling. And, he reminds us that every one of us holds the capacity to tap into the wisdom of our own mystic capacities.
S:3 E:2 Nichole Torbitzky
Rev. Dr. Nichole Torbitzky is a professor of religion with an expertise in atonement theory. Basically, she has thought long and hard about why bad things happen to good people and studied the Christian scriptures to uncover if the conventionally held idea that Jesus had to die for our sins, is "truth." She offers an interpretation of scripture that is liberating and life giving. She makes a convincing case that God is love, and we are expressions of that love. This is a theological conversation offered in really accessible words. If you've ever thought that Christian teachings are out of sync with what you know about reality, take a listen!
S:2 E:5 Daniel Wolpert
Do contemplation and social action go together? Dan Wolpert answers with an unequivocal "yes"! Here, he talks about how grounding your outward life in a deeply spiritual inner life creates the sweet spot where real change begins.
S:2 E:3 James F. McGrath
Dr. James F. McGrath, Professor of New Testament Language and Literature at Butler University, sits down to talk sci-fi and religion. Whether you're here for the sci-fi or the theology this conversation won't disappoint. This is part of the sermon series "AI: Saving Grace?" You can check it out here.
S2:E:13 Bradley Shavit Artson
Rabbi Artson will draw you in with his calm conviction, with his persuasive prophesy. He will challenge you to live in the moment and his humility just may convince you to give it a try. This is the last episode of Season One, and it's a GOOD one!
S:3 E:3 Jay McDaniel
Seasoned process philosophy scholar Jay McDaniel shares stories of how he roots his life in the practices of process. Key themes of Process Theology are explored in a fun and accessible way.
S:3 E:1 Jonathan Foster Indigo the Color of Grief
Jonathan Foster talks with host Beth Hayward about the death of his daughter in a car accident just as her adult life was beginning. He invites us to see our losses and the ensuing grief as a companion that never leaves but shapes us in new and surprising ways. This episode is heavy but not depressing. Jonathan offers his experience of loss and its learnings as a gift to all of us who know what it is to love and lose.
S:2 E:6 David Hayward
The Naked Pastor!! You know his clever cartoons, deconstructing religious biases, but do you know the man behind the art? David Hayward has centred life around the truth that we are all one and we are all utterly whole. We talk art and life and how it is that you don't have to become your authentic self, you just need to see that it's true!
S:2 E:4 Linda Kintsler
Kintsler is an academic and writer. In July 2021 she published at article in the New York Times entitled "Can Silicon Valley Find God?" In it she makes a compelling case for all of us to pay a bit better attention to who is determining the ethics of the digital world. Should religious voices be at the AI table? Does religion have anything to offer in the realm of computer science and business?
S:2 E:1 Thomas Jay Oord
Dr. Tom Oord is back and he's talking about love. Tom insists that God can only love, and his new book Pluriform Love offers a compelling, Biblically grounded argument in support of his claim. If you've ever wondered if prayer makes a difference, why God seems to answer some people's prayers and not others, and whether God can truly be called loving - you'll want to tune in12