Feeling Beings Who Think

Being Content With Who You Are with Greg Cochran

Just what is it about our feelings that we do not want to feel? Is it that we are reminded of our imperfections, lack of control, and inability to manage everything - even ourselves - despite our most glorious efforts? And how much of what we think about our feelings have we examined? To see or try to see where our resistance comes from?
My guest today is Greg Cochran, and like me, some of his early experiences led him to wander away – and directly leave – ingrained teachings about what he was and wasn't supposed to feel and what he was supposed to think about those feelings. Now, in the words of the poet Rumi, he welcomes all of it.
I think this conversation supports us in learning how we can welcome all of who we are - and find, a way to connect with "our desire to move towards wholeness, however, we name that wholeness." Yes – and yes. I'm so grateful he welcomed being in conversation with me.
Greg Cochran - Bio
Greg Cochran is a spiritual companion; executive director at Well for the Journey in Lutherville, MD; adjunct staff for Shalem Institute’s Spiritual Guidance Program in Washington, D.C. and for PASEO Spiritual Direction Program in Idaho; and a minister. He is a woodworker, a photographer, a sojourner with and within Creation, a husband, dad, friend, and a pilgrim in this world. 

Being a Priest with Fr. Cathie Caimano

For women, titles can be complicated - especially in the church. My guest today is Father Cathie Caimano, a colleague, friend, and the first ordained woman I ever saw behind the altar and in a pulpit at church. Back then, I tell her, that rocked my inner Roman Catholic world! In today's conversation, we talk about being women priests, why she goes by Fr. Cathie, online dating, and of course, some of the dreams we have for a more expansive faith community. Regardless of your profession and whether or not church is a part of your world I think you will enjoy listening to her story of calling and career and the ways in which she lives into her intuitive sense of sharing her gifts.
Thanks for listening and please - subscribe and share if you're enjoying Feeling Beings Who Think!
Bio - Fr. Cathie Caimano
The Rev. Cathie Caimano, ‘Fr. Cathie’, is an Episcopal priest and CEO (‘Chief Optimism Evangelist’) of Free Range Priest, empowering clergy and congregations to reimagine ministry in the digital age. She’s also the founder of the online community Bring Church to People, for ministers ‘doing’ and being church in new ways. She believes we’re in the resurrection business. She lives with her husband and adorable Great Dane near Charlotte, NC, and gets all her best ideas while running.
The two churches we discuss are St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Durham, NC and The Church of the Holy Trinity in NYC.

Being Called To Companion with Lisa Tilstra

What is your calling? Do you have more than one? Is your calling what drives your career? How about your vocation? When I was a kid, I thought we got one – one calling, one career - and our job was too perfect it. It didn’t turn out that way – thank God. And I share that sentiment with many friends and colleagues.
In my conversation today with Lisa Tilstra, a leadership coach, consultant, facilitator, and creator and host of the podcast “Make Life Less Difficult," I ask her to share some of her story about one of her earliest professional titles – that of chaplain.
Google chaplain, and you’ll discover a chaplain is a spiritual companion. Ordination isn’t the point or a necessity – what is necessary is a heart that is drawn to bear witness to the holy humanity within each one of us. Humanity we choose to share in our stories.
Lisa, in my opinion, is still a spiritual companion, if not technically, a chaplain. She lives into a purposeful calling to encourage people to share their stories in varied formats, workshops and conversations. What a gift and a joy to learn more about the thoughts and feelings that came from those experiences and to find those places of support and resonance that come through intentional conversation. 
Lisa Tilstra - Bio
Originally from the United States, Lisa has lived and worked in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, France, and currently, Sri Lanka. Her work extends around the globe. She’s served individual coaching clients from 20+ countries, conducting training in over 30 countries, and had participants in her courses from over 80 countries.Lisa summarizes her work via a quote by Mary Anne Evans (aka George Eliot): "What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?" She hosts a podcast, Make Life Less Difficult, that is based on exploring what it means to make life less difficult for each other. Lisa is married to John, a US Diplomat. Together, they enjoy paragliding, rock climbing, sailing, outdoor adventuring, travel, and managing a real estate investment business.
Click here for Lisa's website.  Click here for Lisa on LinkedIn.
Lisa's podcast, Make Life Less Difficult, can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
Click here for the conversation with Greg Boyle and Krista Tippett that Lisa and I discussed!

Being Genuine with the Rev. Mark Robin Collins

Theologian and author Howard Thurman once said, "We are attracted to the sound of the genuine." Episcopal priest and my good friend and colleague, the Rev. Mark Robin Collins is about as genuine as it gets. I hope you enjoy his wit and wisdom as much as I do as we share what we think about the energizing and perplexing feelings we have as pastors in a genuinely challenging time for the church - along with some other topics like parents, grief, and that imposter syndrome!
The Rev. Mark Robin Collins is an Episcopal priest and rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Glen Rock, New Jersey. He serves on the Commission on Ministry for the Diocese of Newark and is co-chair of the diocese’s Strategic Visioning process. Previously, he served at Christ & St. Stephen’s and Church of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan after graduating from General Theological Seminary in New York with prizes for preaching and church history. His seminary experience included study at Canterbury Cathedral in England as a Canterbury Scholar. Mark’s other ministries include being a parish Stewardship consultant and leading retreats for LGBTQ+ people recovering from addiction.
Prior to seminary, Mark worked as a fundraiser for the International Rescue Committee, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and City Harvest. Mark has been an abortion rights advocate and clinic defender, AIDS activist and fundraiser, and an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. He and his husband Denton will celebrate the 27th year of their relationship later this year. Yes, that is a slight Southern accent -- Mark is originally from Memphis, Tennessee.
 

Introduction to Feeling Beings Who Think!

Here's a little bit about my podcast project, who I am and what I'm doing here. Thanks for listening!

FBWT: Trailer

Welcome to Feeling Beings Who Think. Thanks for checking out this intro to my podcast!
 
Music Courtsey of Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay