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"The achievement of 'Poverty Creek Journal' is precisely that it does retrace that kind of wandering--and, in so doing, makes something lovely and meaningful of a difficult year. Gardner does not go in for pat analogies; he does not claim, as Camus once did about soccer, that running taught him everything about death. Nor does he go in for pat consolation. His journal does not so much end as stop, as if he has simply not yet risen for the next morning's run." — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker Thomas Gardner, a literary critic, poet, playwright, and essayist. His accolades run into fellowships from the Guggenheim, National Endowment for the Arts, and Fulbright. He is Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Virginia Tech and lifelong runner. His book Poverty Creek Journal: Lyric Essays was recommended to me by a fellow contemplative shoveler, in Poverty Creek Journal he dips his poetic pen into reflective and lyrical essays on his daily runs, the suffering that touches him, and the literary voices that amplify his thoughts. Visit contemplify.com for shownotes

"Noah Davis is a poet whose capacious imagination runs on river sounds and open air." — Adrian Matejka, Pulitzer Prize Finalist and editor of Poetry. Noah Davis is an award-winning poet, whose collection The Last Beast We Revel In was my first read on my sabbatical. The poetry of Noah Davis is sensual, enlivening all senses whether it be the howling earth, family, dalliances with the beloved, or the creatures that companion and sustain us. This is his second collection of poems, his lyricism and eye hold promise for a bright future. As always you can visit contemplify.com for the shownotes on this episode and learn more about Noah Davis at noahdaviswriter.com.

Todd Goddard is an award-winning writer with a Ph.D in literary studies to go along with J.D. Todd Goddard joins me to talk about his unparalleled work on one of my literary heroes, the poet and writer, Jim Harrison. Goddard's book, Devouring Time: Jim Harrison, A Writer's Life. Devouring Time is the finest biography my eyes have met. Nuanced, gritty, and touching…matching the seasons of Jim Harrison's life and revealing the textures of one of the most compelling writers and poets of the last hundred years. An important book for all Jim Harrison fans to add to their shelves. Visit Todd Goddard at toddgoddard.net | IG: @toddgoddard_

Sasha Waters, an American documentary and experimental filmmaker, feminist and educator. She has produced and directed over twenty films and we are here today to talk about her latest, Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World, which will be theatrically released July 3rd (see dates and locations of screenings here) and will air nationally on the PBS series American Masters on August 25th, 2026. I cannot urge you enough, run to see Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World if it is playing in your town. It is a gorgeous, intimate portrait of Mary Oliver. In our conversation we talk about what we can learn from Mary Oliver, the sacred interplay with nature, devotion and attention, and what makes Mary Oliver a grand poet for our times. Visit Sasha Waters at pieshake.com | IG: @pieshakepictures Visit contemplify.com for shownotes

"With poetic clarity and theological depth, Beverly Lanzetta names the sacred within the human, the Divine Feminine within tradition, and the transforming power of contemplation for our wounded world." — Fr. Adam Bucko Beverly Lanzetta, Ph.D., is a theologian, contemplative scholar and teacher, and the author of a number of groundbreaking books, her most recent is the centerpiece of our conversation, Birthing a New Mysticism: Contemplation in Ten Parts. A rich and precise invitation to seekers of all stripes hear the contemplative call. We talk about via feminina, mystical activism in a suffering world, dark nights of the soul, and what has become clearer since the last time we spoke,  Visit Beverly Lanzetta at beverlylanzetta.net Visit contemplify.com for shownotes

"In the ashes of all we have lost, a world of liberation is waiting to be born, if we are brave enough to labor for it. Like the wisest midwife, Liza Rankow takes our hand and offers practical tools to unlock a courage we did not know we had. The result: a journey into healing, spirituality, and social justice that rebirths the world within us and around us." — Valarie Kaur, author, See No Stranger and Sage Warrior Dr. Liza J. Rankow is an interfaith minister, educator, activist, and author. Her lifework centers the deep healing that is essential to personal and social transformation. Liza is the founder and former executive director of OneLife Institute, which for almost 20 years supported the well-being of frontline changemakers. She has been a spiritual counselor and teacher for more than three decades, working with individual clients, facilitating healing retreats, and offering classes and workshops in a variety of community and academic settings. Liza is the producer and co-editor of The Living Wisdom of Howard Thurman audio collection. Her new book is Soul Medicine for a Fractured World: Healing, Justice, and the Path of Wholeness.  Visit Dr. Liza Rankow at lizarankow.org Visit Contemplify.com for shownotes

Philip Connors is a fire lookout, essayist, and author of four books. A former journalist at the Wall Street Journal, Connors has been a fire lookout in the Gila National Forest for over twenty years. In our conversation today we focus on his latest book, The Mountain Knows the Mountain: A Fire Watch Diary, the life of a fire lookout, attention and dialogue with place, and I reignite the question I asked him at live reading that has stirred my interior soup for months. I heartily recommend all of Philip Connors' books, The Mountain Knows the Mountain is my favorite. Visit Philip Connors at philipconnors.com Visit Contemplify at contemplify.com

"Through her graceful poetry and pristine instrumentation, the folk singer delivers indictments of modern indignities alongside moments of hope." — Pitchfork Anna Tivel is an award-winning songwriter and musician from Portland, Oregon. In our conversation we traverse many topics; short stories, poetry, checking for shit on your shoes, and Anna's latest spellbinding album, Animal Poem. For me, this felt like old friends talking about matters close to the heart despite this being our first real conversation. Anna Tivel is thoughtful, funny, inquisitive, and one of the best working songwriters out there. Pick a copy of Animal Poem at Fluff & Gravy Records. Visit Anna Tivel at annativel.com | IG: @annativel Visit Contemplify.com for show notes.

"Here is a rosary of soaring myth, gripping narrative, and deep wisdom, all told with breathtaking verve that enchants and sweeps us along, from first word to last. A superb, inspiring read." — Gabor Maté, author of The Myth of Normal Dr. Martin Shaw a writer, mythographer, wilderness guide, and Christian thinker. In our conversation we delve into his latest book, Liturgies of the Wild: Myths That Make Us. A book that any personal library would benefit from. Shaw delivers a rousing grasp of the mythic life from a poetic lens of the dream of Christianity. A master storyteller with wit and wisdom, that will have you smiling as resonant tears well in your eyes.  Visit Dr. Martin Shaw at drmartinshaw.com | IG: @drmartinshaw | Substack: The House of Beasts & Vines Visit contemplify.com for shownotes.

Season 7 is hatching. A series of conversations has come together, mighty and beautiful folks offering feathered insight and story from their unique perch in the world (I am going to shift things up a bit and share a conversation once a month for Season 7).  But first, here and now, Teddy Macker is going to share a piece that gave me goosebumps the first time I encountered it. If Contemplify had a poet laureate, Teddy would surely be it. So sit back and receive this "VISION FOR A NEW CABINET: A Proposal of Possibilities for the Next American President" written and read by Teddy Macker. First episode of Season 7 will land in February.

"You can trust Amy Frykholm as a modern-day amma who knows the terrain of the soul. Reading Journey to the Wild Heart is like going out to the desert for a word. It helps us slow down, let go, unknow in Silence, and embody Love.― — Carmen Acevedo Butcher, author of Practice of the Presence Amy Frykholm is a writer and journalist who makes her third appearance on Contemplify (round one, round two) to talk about her latest book Journey to the Wild Heart: Four Invitations to Contemplative Living. Amy is an award-winning writer, scholar, and journalist whose work insightfully explores American religion and culture. Her debut novel High Hawk has been long-listed for the 2025 PEN/Hemingway Award.  This is Amy's third time on Contemplify, so you will not be surprised that in Journey to the Wild Heart Amy weaves together ancient mystics to modern poets and philosophers, inviting readers into deeper knowing through reflection and practice. Visit Amy Frykholm at amyfrykholm.com Visit Contemplify.com for shownotes.

"To read a new and selected collection is to experience the evolution of a voice, in this case an essential voice in American poetry. To sit with the whole of these transportive, immersive poems is to awaken like a wild riparian corridor in spring. Wildflowers on the banks. Birdsong in the branches. The reader's heart is a bud: open. Beautiful work." — Chris Dombrowski, The River You Touch   Poet Todd Davis's latest collection is Ditch Memory: New and Selected Poems. This is Todd's third time on Contemplify, and like the previous conversations we find our charge in the sacred strides of cultivating attention. The poetry of Todd Davis stretches me and helps me scratch the dirt of what is real, to taste and relish my short passage through this world. I think he will do the same for you. Visit Todd Davis at todddavispoet.com Visit contemplify.com for shownotes   Episode Show Notes Works by Todd Davis Ditch Memory: New and Selected Poems Coffin Honey Native Species Winterkill In the Kingdom of the Ditch Todd Davis's full catalog   Resources & People Mentioned Dave Shumate W.B. Yeats Mary Oliver Wendell Berry Hildegard of Bingen David James Duncan Chris Dombrowski Mary Rose O'Reilley   Drink Recommended Sleepytime tea with Peace Orange Tea with a dab of honey

"…Swan's book provides an accessible overview of beguine spirituality in the context of their own times…[it] does a good job of explaining both the beguines' spiritual practices and their continuing legacy." — Commonweal Sr. Laura Swan is a Benedictine sister, spiritual director, author, teacher, and archivist. In our conversation we talk about her book The Wisdom of the Beguines: The Forgotten Story of a Medieval Women s Movement. I am fascinated by the Beguine movement as I think it is incredibly instructive for our times. Sr. Laura brings a contagious passion and a catalog of wisdom to the Beguines that I hope seeps into your soul. Can't wait for you to hear more about the Beguines movement. Visit Sr. Laura Swan at lauraswanosb.com | YouTube: @BenedictineLauraSwan | Facebook: laura.swan.505 Visit Contemplify.com

Patrick Boland is an author, teacher, coach, and consultant. In our conversation we talk about his book The Contemplative Leader: Uncover the Power of Presence and Connection. Patrick is a whipsmart, strategic thinker with a contemplative heart and presence. Patrick's atypical approach to leadership brings a new vitality to leadership development. Visit Patrick Boland at thecontemplativeleader.com | IG: @contemplativeleader | Substack: thecontemplativeleader.substack.com

Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault is a mystic, teacher, writer, Episcopal priest. In our conversation we talk about her book Thomas Keating: The Making of a Modern Mystic. A book that should not have, but did, surprise me with its brilliance in understanding the route Thomast Keating took on (and off) wellworn mystical maps. And Cynthia has had an outsized impact on my life over the years, yes in her books, but in a word here or there that opened a new direction or portal of insight. Visit Cynthia Bourgeault at cynthiabourgeault.org