The Growing Edge — Episodes

Episode 55: A Conversation With Quaker Author Phillip Gulley

In this episode, Parker J. Palmer and Carrie Newcomer have a conversation with author/pastor/theologian Philip Gulley. Gulley is a pastor, an author, a source of wisdom and hope, and a clear and prophetic voice in progressive theology & spiritual activism in these challenging times. He has written 22 books, including the Harmony series recounting life in the eccentric Quaker community of Harmony, Indiana, several collections of essays including the best selling "Porch Talk", and a memoir called "I Love You, Miss Huddleston" which was a finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor. In addition, he has co-authored with James Mulholland several works of theology and progressive faith including "If Grace Is True" and "If God Is Love", followed by "If the Church Were Christian".

I hope you’ll join us for a powerful conversation about living authentically into our deepest values and naming the more extreme voices of the Christian Nationalism and Maga Christianity as political movements with little to do with a philosophy of justice, inclusion and radical love.

Phillip has recently joined the Substack platform with “Plain Speech: With Phillip Gulley.” We hope you’ll check out his many works and subscribe to his Substack offerings.

Episode 52 : The Call to Public Service: A Conversation With Indiana State Senator Shelli Yoder

In this podcast, Carrie and Parker speak with Indiana State Senator, Shelli Yoder. We explore together Shelli’s history and vocation in passionate public service, as well as reclaiming the word politics and politician, holding difference and finding common ground. In a time when the most extreme and strident voices are more likely to get media sound bytes, it was deeply moving and encouraging to be in conversation with someone doing faithful and thoughtful daily work in public service.

For more about generative spaces for democracy and the common good check out Parker’s book Healing The Heart of Democracy

Episode 50: A Conversation with Scott Russell Sanders, author of “Small Marvels

In this podcast, Carrie and Parker talk with author Scott Russell Sanders about his new book Small Marvels. Scott’s work often explores the spirit of place, our relationship with the natural world, and creating communities of care and generosity rather a culture of fear and division. In this episode we talk about what inspired the stories in this lovely work, and share thoughts about the power of story and creativity. I hope you’ll join us for this heart-opening conversation.

Episode 44: Memory, Witness & Lessons From Elie Wiesel's Classroom - A Conversation With Ariel Burger

This month on The Growing Edge Podcast Parker and Carrie have a conversation with Ariel Burger, author, teacher and artist whose work integrates spirituality, the arts and strategies for social change. An Orthodox-trained rabbi, Ariel received his PhD in Jewish Studies and Conflict Resolution under Elie Wiesel. Together we explore topics from his book Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel's Classroom, his work as founding director and senior scholar of the Witness Institute, the nature of hope, navigating conflict and the powerful intersection of spirituality and art. We believe this conversation will inspire and offer compelling ideas ponder.

You can learn more about Ariel Burger, The Witness Project at the links below

Official Ariel Burger Website Here

The Witness Institute Here

A Gallery of Art Work By Ariel Burger Here

Episode 40: How To Fly - A Conversation With Author/Poet Barbara Kingsolver

In this episode Carrie & Parker welcome Author/Poet Barbara Kingsolver. Together they discuss the natural world, mortality, the promise of ambiguity, the pleasure of making, the writer's life, knitting and her new book of luminous poetry How To Fly (in Ten Thousands Easy Lessons.

Episode 36: Until Now Creativity & The Growing Edge

In this episode Parker and Carrie take a moment to talk about Carrie's newest companion projects Until Now CD & Until Now: New Poems.
They discuss the themes that run through these two companion pieces; resilience and uncertainty, loss, discover and being in process. They discuss how creativity can be expressed in a traditional art form, but also in how we approach our relationships, parenting, community, vocation and as a spiritual practice. We'll be giving a sneak peek listen to the new songs and poetry before it's release date, September 10, 2021

Episode 34 - Real Change: A Conversation With Sharon Salzberg

A conversation with beloved meditation teacher and founder of The Insight Meditation Society. In this episode we explore the practice of mindfulness and meditation to deepen our own lives and sustain our capacity to stay engaged and serve others. We discuss Sharon's book "Real Change" and her work with diverse groups to process suffering and create a sustainable positive change. Sharon leads us and our Growing Edge listeners in a short mindful meditation.

Episode 32: Identity, Resilience & Spiritual Calling - A Conversation with Dr. Luther E. Smith, Jr.

For our May, 2021 podcast, we welcome Dr. Luther E. Smith Jr., Professor Emeritus at Candler Seminary, author, educator, pastor, mystic, and elder. In this episode we talk about how identity is shaped and expanded and how conversations about race could be more authentic and powerful. We also explore what it meant for him to follow a spiritual calling and the experiences that led him to his friendship and academic study of author and mystic, Howard Thurman.

Podcast Archives

Hope is holding a creative tension between what is and what could and should be, each day doing something to narrow the distance between the two. —Parker J. Palmer