Podcasts by SDI Encounters

An Ordinary Conversation about Waking Up - Jennifer ”Jinks” Hoffmann from 2023-12-05T14:06:53

We are pleased to offer this recent conversation with Jennifer "Jinks" Hoffmann, author of The Light of God's Shadow - M...

Forest Bathing Sounds and Storytelling -An Audio Reflection (and Invitation to Join us in March 2024!) from 2023-11-28T15:29:11

In March 2023 during our Forest Bathing Retreat in North Carolina, I (Matt Whitney) made some recordings of our time together - sounds of the forest, some testimonials and poetry by participants...

A History of Spiritual Direction and Supervision - Paul Burgmayer from 2023-11-20T15:57:49

In this week’s episode, Matt Whitney speaks with Paul Burgmayer on a History of Spiritual Direction and Supervision that he has been working on. Paul is working on a comprehensive history of spi...

Desert Spirituality - Preview with Tessa Bielecki and Fr. Dave Denny from 2023-10-30T11:45:30

To preview their upcoming 4-part webinar for SDI on Desert Spirituality, we invite you to enjoy this quick session with Tessa Bielecki and Fr. David Denny. And, we hope you will consider joining...

Elaine Fourie - Working with Trauma, Mysticism, and Walking with a Partner with Illness from 2023-09-08T10:12:12

In this episode I have a lovely conversation with Elaine Fourie, from Durban, South Africa. Elaine is an SDI Member, a regular Media Reviewer of spiritual and contemplative books for SDI List...

Using the Enneagram to Name, Tame, and Transform Your Inner Critic with Chelsea Forbrook from 2023-08-28T14:46:02

Chelsea Forbrook is the President of Enneagram Minnesota and is a Spiritual Director and Enneagram Educator based in Minneapolis, MN. She teaches a 10 month experiential Enneagram Course and hos...

Rev. SeiFu and Matt Whitney on Belonging - Part 2 from 2023-08-14T06:00

In this week's episode, SDI's Rev. SeiFu and Matt Whitney continue their conversation on what it means to belong to the SDI community, particularly when things get challenging. In our ongoing SD...

Rev. SeiFu and Matt Whitney on Belonging - Part 1 from 2023-08-09T11:17:45

In this week's episode, SDI's Rev. SeiFu and Matt Whitney discuss what it means to belong to the SDI community, particularly when things get challenging. In our ongoing SDI community dialogue ar...

Awakening Joy - Practices to Cultivate Spiritual Presence - Harry Pickens from 2023-07-03T05:00

“I already feel more awake`-thank you.”

“I cannot wait for the class!!!”<...

Dr Jeanette Banashak and Rev Simon Ruth De Voil - Guides for Our 2024 Forest Bathing Journey from 2023-06-28T16:00:40

Hear directly from our Guides for the newest iteration of our Forest Bathing Journey, coming in March 2024.

We are pleased to welcome all to join us as SDI returns to the woods of the Blu...

Reconsidering Spiritual Companionship - Full Conversation with Rev. SeiFu Singh-Molares from 2023-05-01T14:13:53

In this recent April 2023, SDI Executive Director Rev. SeiFu Singh-Molares and SDI Creative Director Matt Whitney had a wide-ranging conversation about spiritual direction and companionship, and...

A Conversation with Fr. Adam Bucko - Let Your Heartbreak Be Your Guide from 2023-04-03T14:57:05

Recently we at SDI hosted a free preview webinar session with Fr. Adam Bucko, who will be facilitating an upcoming webinar series called Listen

Carmen Acevedo Butcher - Mystical Wisdom and Practice from The Cloud of Unknowing and Brother Lawrence from 2023-03-30T09:48:31

Recently, SDI hosted a free webinar with Carmen Acevedo Butcher, an internationally acclaimed speaker, author, educator, and poet. Carmen specializes in Early Modern French, German, Latin, Middl...

Website Chat Support, Compassionate Listening, and Growing Peppers - Ryan Hinson - SDI Technical Support Specialist from 2023-03-16T11:53:41

Have you ever noticed on the sdicompanions.org website, a small purple chat bubble that follows you in the lower-right hand corner of the screen? It look...

Eric Massanari - SDI Board Chair - An Invitation to Community from 2023-03-07T08:33:46

In this interview we talk to Eric Massanari, Chair of the SDI Board of Directors. Eric invites all SDI Members to join him and the rest of the SDI Board for virtual teatime gatherings on March 1...

Rabbi Myriam Klotz - SDI Board Vice-Chair - An Invitation to Serve from 2023-03-02T10:42:41

In this interview we talk to Rabbi Miriam Klotz, vice-chair of the SDI Board of Directors. Rabbi Myriam invites all SDI Members to join her and the rest of the SDI Board for virtual teatime gath...

A Conversation with Busshō Lahn - Singing and Dancing are the Voice of the Law from 2023-02-17T13:45:29

Busshō Lahn is a Zen student and teacher, and the guiding teacher of Flying Cloud Zen Spiritual Practice Community. He’s also a popular speaker, retreat leader, spiritual director, author, and a...

An Exploration of the Psalms - Song and Poetry Swap with Simon de Voil and David Wallace from 2023-01-12T15:10:16

In this week's episode, Rev. Simon Ruth de Voil and Rev. David Wallace swap poetry and song ahead of their upcoming 4-part webinar series entitled " Listen

Cynthia Bailey Manns - Reflections of a Soul Companion from 2022-10-31T16:02:49

Recently, Cynthia Bailey Manns came off of the SDI Coordinating Council, now called the SDI Board of Directors, and also Listen

Nature Immersion and Deep Listening - A Forest Bathing Retreat from SDI - Dr Jeanette Banashak from 2022-09-29T08:58:28

SDI is offering a very unique Forest Bathing Journey – a...

Dr. Bruce Tallman - New Book on Francis de Sales - Making a Living in Spiritual Direction from 2022-09-16T09:36:20

Since 2002 Dr. Bruce Tallman has been a full-time spiritual director and marriage coach in private practice. He is passionate about his mission, which is to help people grow in wisdom and love. ...

A Contemplative Approach to Sexuality - Dr. Westina Matthews from 2022-08-09T14:04:46

In the June 2022 issue of Presence Journal, Dr Westina Matthews writes,

“We will not attempt to convince another to adopt any view but rather offer a safe and sacred space to share knowle...

EP133 - Rabbi Rami Shapiro - Wandering the Pathless Land from 2022-07-11T16:10:22

Recently I had the amazing opportunity to chat with author and teacher Rabbi Rami Shapiro, who has written an article for peer-reviewed flagship publication, Presence Journal Listen

EP127 - Simon de Voil - A Conversation on Iona, Music, and Spiritual Companionship from 2022-02-03T15:17:02

In this week's episode, SDI's Creative Services Coordinator Ann Lancaster speaks with Reverend Simon de Voil, who will be leading Listen

EP122 - Lucy Abbott Tucker - New Perspectives on Supervision from 2021-12-06T05:00

Since writing  Spiritual Direction Supervision:  Principles, Practices, & Storyte...

EP121 - Roslyn G. Weiner - A Process for Group Spiritual Direction - New Book from SDI Press from 2021-11-24T11:03:26

With over 18 years of experience facilitating groups in spiritual direction, Dr. Roslyn Weiner brings a creative and practical approach to one of the key aspects of our contemplative calling. Sh...

EP 120: Finding God In All I See, Finding God in You and Me - Writing a Children‘s Book - MaryEllen Weber from 2021-11-18T09:43:11

MaryEllen Weber is an SDI Member and a spiritual director, and she has written a children’s book which was recently published by Growing Awake Books<...

EP119 - ”Engage” - Our 2022 SDI Conference Theme from 2021-09-29T15:10:32

In this week's episode, SDI Creative Director Matt Whitney speaks with SDI Executive Director Rev. SeiFu about our 2022 conference theme, Carl McColman about their upcomi...

EP116 - Teresa Blythe - Awakening While Anchoring the Radio News from 2021-08-23T06:00

In this week's episode, SDI Creative Director Matt Whitney speaks with spiritual director Teresa Blythe, on her extraordinary journey following her callin...

EP115 - Evan Miller - Leadership and Spirituality from 2021-08-13T12:44:29

In this week's episode, SDI Creative Director Matt Whitney speaks with Evan J. Miller, on the topic of Leadership and Spirituality. His article entitled Listen

EP114 - My Boss is a Zen Priest - How to Sit from 2021-07-28T14:03:26

In today's episode, Creative Director Matt Whitney continues his podcast series entitled "My Boss is a Zen Priest". Matt speaks with SDI Executive Director Reverend SeiFu about the Zen Buddhist ...

EP113 - Taste of the Divine Garden of Rumi - Imam Jamal Rahman from 2021-07-20T17:25:38

In this week’s episode, Creative Director Matt Whitney speaks with Imam Jamal Rahman, about their July 2021 webinar series “Coordinating Council in...

EP111 - Renaissance 2021 - New Contemplatives - Part 2 from 2021-06-14T06:00

In this week's episode, we hear from our New Contemplatives. 

The New Contemplatives...

EP110 - Renaissance 2021 - New Contemplatives - Part 1 from 2021-06-09T16:04:11

In this week's episode, we hear from our New Contemplatives. 

The New Contemplatives...

EP109 - The Invitation Sale - 10 percent off All SDI Membership, Resources, Books, etc until June 2 from 2021-05-29T06:16:18

We are very excited about the new "feast" of experiences and resources SDI has on offer for spiritual directors and spiritual companions. And we wanted to invite our community to partake of this...

EP108 - Marian Sorensen and Holistic Approaches to Spiritual Companionship from 2021-05-24T14:24:42

In this week's episode, SDI's creative director Matt Whitney chats with Marian Sorensen, an English spiritual companion based out of Ibiza, Spain. Marian uses a holistic approach to her integrat...

EP107 - Q&A With the Executive Director from the SDI Renaissance Conference (and bonus questions!) from 2021-05-18T12:43

Traditionally, on the last day of an SDI Annual Conference, our Executive Director Reverend SeiFu Anil Singh-Molares will deliver something of an Annual Report, going over the finances and opera...

EP106 - Highlights from the SDI Renaissance Conference - Sr Joan Chittister, Fr Richard Rohr, Roshi Joan Halifax, more from 2021-05-10T05:00

If you regularly listen to this podcast, you have heard the advertisements for our SDI Renaissance virtual conference. We hosted this virtual gathering a couple of weeks ago now, and we as a sta...

EP105 - Reflections on Awakening and Maturity for Spiritual Companions - Genjo Marinello from 2021-05-03T12:46:58

Our latest book release from SDI Press is now available – Reflections on Awakening and...

EP104 - Roshi Joan Halifax - The Landscape of Compassion from 2021-04-07T12:48:21

In this week's episode, SDI's Executive Director Reverend Seifu speaks with Roshi Joan Halifax about confronting mortality and The Landscape of C...

EP103 - Father Richard Rohr - A Call to Contemplative Solidarity from 2021-03-29T13:13:50

In this week's episode, SDI's Executive Director Reverend Seifu speaks with Father Richard Rohr, a keynote speaker for our All P...

EP101 - Presence Journal Online - Enhancements, Features, and a FREE ISSUE! from 2021-03-09T10:51:05

In this episode, Ann Lancaster and Matt Whitney (SDI's creative team) discuss all the new enhancements and features of the online version of Presence and the labor of love that goes into produci...

EP100 - Sunyata Kopriva - Providing Culturally Congruent Trauma Care For Young People from 2021-03-02T17:07:39

Here at SDI we have an initiative that brings emerging spiritual companions in the first half of life to our community, helping us weave a web of intergenerational wisdom and practice, which we ...

EP099 - We Need Elders In Our Lives - Nathan Bettger and Lizzie Salsich - New Contemplatives from 2021-02-08T10:25:13

Here at SDI we have an initiative that brings emerging spiritual companions in the first half of life to our community, helping us weave a web of intergenerational wisdom and practice, which we ...

EP098 - Free eBook! Starting Spiritual Direction - John Mabry, Part 2 from 2021-01-26T05:00

In this episode, I continue my conversation with John Mabry, longtime friend of SDI and former Presence editor. This week we get into the modality of spiritual companionship at its essence, whic...

EP097 - Feminist Perspectives on Spiritual Companionship and Direction from 2021-01-20T08:59:46

In this special episode of SDI Encounters, Director of Programs and Events Frederica Helmiere talks with Beth Bartlett about their upcoming course offering from SDI Education – Feminist Perspect...

EP096 - Catching Up With John Mabry - Creative Work and Interfaith Exploration from 2021-01-11T14:55:29

John Mabry is beloved in the SDI Community. He’s been with SDI for over 20 years in a number of ways. He is the former editor and a longtime contributor to Presence Journal – our quarterly magaz...

EP095 - Setting Intentions for Spiritual Companionship in the New Year - A Short Meditation from 2021-01-01T13:59

Spiritual companionship is for everyone. The gifts of spiritual companionship are meant to be given to others, and to be received by ourselves. There are opportunities everywhere, all the time, ...

EP094 - Two Years of the SDI Encounters Podcast - Notes and Reflections from 2020-12-22T13:09:39

Thank you to everybody who has supported the SDI Encounters Podcast, by listening, sharing with a friend, writing a review, or by being a guest. At SDI, we see the podcast as a vital part of our...

EP093 - Bernadette Miles - "What stops us from realizing we are lovable?" from 2020-12-14T16:03:16

Bernadette Miles is co-director at the Kardia Formation and Training Program in Victoria, Australia. She trained in spiritual direction and theology afte...

EP092 - Dimensions of Spiritual Companionship - Discernment from 2020-12-08T15:09:56

Who is a spiritual companion? A spiritual director is a spiritual companion, as is a life coach, a chaplain, a hospice nurse, really anybody in a caring vocation. But it can also be a type of pe...

EP091 - A Gratitude Meditation for Spiritual Companions from 2020-11-25T05:00

Please enjoy this short (10 minute) guided meditation, which I (Matt Whitney) wrote and recorded this week as an offering to spiritual companions. It offers a few specific gratitude prompts, eac...

EP090 - Announcing the SDI 2021 Renaissance Virtual Conference! from 2020-11-16T05:00

We at SDI are so excited to announce an unprecedented virtual conference for April 2021 which we are calling Renai...

EP089 - Dimensions of Spiritual Companionship - Accountability from 2020-11-10T12:53:26

Who is a spiritual companion? A spiritual director is a spiritual companion, as is a life coach, a chaplain, a hospice nurse, really anybody in a caring vocation. But it can also be a type of pe...

EP088 - Dimensions of a Spiritual Companion - Mutuality from 2020-10-26T05:00

Who is a spiritual companion? A spiritual director is a spiritual companion, as is a life coach, a chaplain, a hospice nurse, really anybody in a caring vocation. But it can also be a type of pe...

EP087 - Non-theistic Companionship with Joe Sehee from 2020-10-20T14:20:51

This week’s episode is a conversation I had about companionship with Joe Sehee. I very intentionally refer to ‘companionship’ here, as Joe approaches this work from a non-theistic, non-religious...

EP086 - Apollo's Lyre - Spirituality and Psychoanalysis with Dr. Kenneth Porter from 2020-10-05T05:00

This week, Frederica spoke with Dr. Kenneth Porter, author of the book Angie Fadel - a spiritual director who engages in somatic methods of healing by teaching archery ...

EP084 - Sacred Music and Conversation with Simon de Voil from 2020-09-18T05:00

Enjoy this lovely conversation between Frederica Helmiere and Simon de Voil. Simon is an interfaith/interspiritual minister, sacred musician, youth worker ...

EP083 - Dimensions of Spiritual Companionship - Exploration of the Unknown from 2020-09-15T16:44:18

Who is a spiritual companion? A spiritual director is a spiritual companion, as is a life coach, a chaplain, a hospice nurse, really anybody in a caring vocation. But it can also be a type of pe...

EP082 - Dimensions of Spiritual Companionship - Deep Listening with Rev. Seifu from 2020-09-02T08:24:08

Who is a spiritual companion? A spiritual director is a spiritual companion, as is a life coach, a chaplain, a hospice nurse, really anybody in a caring vocation. But it can also be a type of pe...

EP081 - Nonviolent Communication - Pam Winthrop Lauer from 2020-08-12T09:06:30

In this episode, I (Matt Whitney) go into the fishbowl of spiritual companionship with Pam Winthrop Lauer, a spiritual director and a practitioner and teacher of Nonviolent Communication, or (NV...

EP080 - Sexuality and Spiritual Companionship - Part 4 with Langston Kahn from 2020-07-27T13:35:43

This week we continue with our four part series on the exploration of sexuality in spiritual companionship. Facilitated by Frederica Helmiere, we present to you a series of perspectives from sev...

EP079 - Sexuality and Spiritual Companionship - Part 3 with Rev. Dr. Beverly Dale from 2020-07-20T14:36:33

This week we continue with our four part series on the exploration of sexuality in spiritual companionship. Facilitated by Frederica Helmiere, we present to you a series of perspectives from sev...

EP078 - Sexuality and Spiritual Companionship - Part 2 with Tommie Watkins and Westina Matthews from 2020-07-14T15:32:31

This week we continue with our four part series on the exploration of sexuality in spiritual companionship. Facilitated by Frederica Helmiere, we present to you a series of perspectives from sev...

EP077 - Sexuality and Spiritual Companionship - Part 1 with Karen Erlichman from 2020-07-06T12:20:17

Today we start a four part series on the exploration of sexuality in spiritual companionship. Facilitated by Frederica Helmiere, we present to you a series of perspectives from several spiritual...

EP076 - New Website! sdicompanions.org from 2020-06-29T05:00

Hey everybody; SDI has a brand new website! After months of work, we are so excited to present to our community sdicompanions.org. Built from the ground-u...

EP075 - Poetry as Spiritual Companionship - Pastor Dave Brown from 2020-06-22T10:22:25

This week, I and Pastor Dave Brown explore poetry as spiritual companionship. Dave shares a bit about how he began using poetry in his services as a pastor, to the ways he incorporates poems as ...

EP074 - Companionship in the Outdoors - Heather Makowicz from 2020-06-15T17:04:04

I (Matt Whitney) had a really fun conversation with one of our SDI members, Heather Makowicz, who is the founder of an organization called Peak Encounter Mini...

EP073 - The Long-Term Benefits of Meditation - Sean Murphy (Part 2) from 2020-06-01T05:00

This is Part 2 of my deep dive conversation on meditation practice with Sean Murphy, Zen Master, Author, and SDI Coordinating Council Member. Here we learn something of the long-term benefits of...

EP072 - Mindfulness as the First Fruits of Meditation - Sean Murphy from 2020-05-25T05:00

I (Matt Whitney) had a wonderful deep dive conversation with Sean Murphy, Zen Master, Author, and SDI Coordinating Council Member. His story is fascinating, and there’s a lot of wisdom gleaned f...

EP071 - Talking with Lucy Abbott Tucker about Spiritual Direction Supervision from 2020-05-18T14:58:22

In this episode, we share a conversation between Reverend Seifu Anil Singh-Molares, and Lucy Abbott Tucker. This conversation was a livestreamed event from SDI, which we are calling Digital Tonw...

EP070 - A Dreamwork Session with Amy Curran - Fishbowl Spiritual Companionship from 2020-05-11T16:53:13

In last week’s episode of SDI Encounters, we talked with Amy Curran, a Dreamworker, about our dreams and the work of dreamwork and spiritual companionship. As part of my (Matt Whitney) explorati...

EP069 - An Introduction to Dreamwork - Amy Curran from 2020-05-04T05:00

Maybe it goes without saying, but all of us dream, multiple times a night. Some of us are more attuned to our dreams than others, with myself being one who historically has not been attuned to m...

EP068 - Meet Ann Lancaster - SDI Production Assistant from 2020-05-01T05:00

We’re using the podcast here to occasionally introduce you to new faces and voices in the SDI Family – we heard from Desiree Casil a couple of weeks ago who is taking over for Membership Service...

EP067 - Group Spiritual Direction with Diane Millis (and new offering from SDI!) from 2020-04-28T15:34:48

SDI is announcing a new series of group spiritual direction sessions, facilitated by Diane Millis and Matt Whitney, beginning May 12th 2020. Learn more and register on our store site, sdistore.o...

EP066 - Meet Desiree Casil - SDI Membership Services from 2020-04-20T11:30:31

SDI is a member based organization, with over 6000 members worldwide. We have a Membership Services Team that is there to assist our members with anything from renewing a membership to taking a ...

EP065 - Hallmarks of Spiritual Companionship (Listen 14.2 - April 2020, read by SDI Staff) from 2020-04-19T09:10:49

At SDI we just released our quarterly digital publication of Listen – it includes a written reflection on spiritual companionship by Reverend Seifu Anil Singh-Molares, poetry by well-known membe...

EP064 - The Paradox of Showing Up, and Letting Go, as a Spiritual Companion - Brian Plachta from 2020-04-13T05:00

Brian Plachta is a spiritual director based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Brian joined me for this conversation about spiritual direction and companionship, and he offers very practical advice for ...

BONUS - My Boss is a Zen Priest (and an amazing guitar player!) from 2020-04-09T15:47:45

If you’ve been listening to this podcast for awhile, or have viewed some of the SDI short videos for our Santa Fe conference, you’ve heard the guitar music in the background. You may not know th...

EP063 - Walking as Spiritual Companionship (Pilgrimage in Place) from 2020-04-03T10:24:34

Pilgrimage-in-place, or, Walking as Spiritual Companionship.

For this week’s podcast, I (Matt Whitney) went for a walk with a spiritual companion. That is, my friend Jeanette Banashak wen...

EP062 - Listen to our Discover March Newsletter from 2020-03-27T14:59:55

Did you catch our March 2020 e-mail newsletter? It's called Discover, and it brings with it all the updates and goings-on at SDI. If perhaps it got buried in your inbox, Listen

EP059 - A Day in the Life of a Cancer Care Chaplain - Taqwa Surapati from 2020-03-09T17:43:34

Taqwa Surapati is a Cancer Care Chaplain for Stanford Hospital in Palo, Alto, California. She completed her chaplain residency at Stanford Health Care, before going to Hartford Seminary in Conne...

EP058 - The Crisis of Relationship - Pat McCabe (Weyakpa Najin Win, Woman Stands Shining) from 2020-03-02T10:30:40

Pat McCabe, whose Navajo name is (Weyakpa Najin Win, Woman Stands Shining) is a Diné mother, grandmother, activist, artist, writer, ceremonial leader, and in...

EP057 - Companioning with Death and the Dying - Eric Massanari - Part 2 from 2020-02-24T05:00

Eric Massanari, M.Div., is an ordained pastor in the Mennonite Church USA, living in Newton, Kansas where he serves as a spiritual director and the chaplain of a continuing care community for ol...

EP056 - The Practice of Curiosity in Spiritual Companionship - Eric Massanari - Part 1 from 2020-02-17T05:00

Eric Massanari, M.Div., is an ordained pastor in the Mennonite Church USA, living in Newton, Kansas where he serves as a spiritual director and the chaplain of a continuing care community for ol...

EP055 - Examen the Play Dough - Nancy Shadlock, MA from 2020-02-10T05:00

Nancy Shadlock, MA, is the CEO and founder of Centered Life Coaching (www.centered.ca). Nancy has a Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation from Carey Theolog...

EP054 - Counseling Communities through Mass Tragedy - Rabbi Carla Howard from 2020-02-03T05:00

Lately on the podcast we've been talking with various workshop presenters for our upcoming Santa Fe Conference. This week, Our Events and Journeys Director Frederica Helmiere talks with Rabbi Ca...

EP053 - Gender Equity and Reconciliation - Cynthia Brix and Will Keepin from 2020-01-27T05:00

Do you or the people you companion long for relationships that are based not only on mutual respect, but also mutual reverence?

Do you or those you companion ever find it difficult to na...

EP052 - Spiritual Practices of Sufi Islam - Azra Rahim from 2020-01-20T04:00

Azra Rahim has a BSc in Molecular Biology and holds an MD.  She describes herself this way: “Muslim Sufi.  Spiritual Quester. Truth seeker. Globe trotter. Lover of food, flowers and all things g...

EP051 - Technology, Contemplation, and Interspirituality - Jeff Genung, Kate Sheehan Roach, and Brother Wayne Teasdale (!!) from 2020-01-13T04:00

Interspiritual pioneer Brother Wayne Teasdale wrote in his seminal book The Mystic Heart, “Daily spi...

EP050 - Art, Creativity, and Spiritual Companionship - Matt Whitney from 2020-01-06T04:00

Intro: We kick off the New Year of SDI Encounters episodes with an interview with your host, Matt Whitney! This was the idea of SDI's Executive Director, Reverend Seifu Anil Singh-Molares, to fl...

EP049 - 2019 Highlights of SDI Encounters from 2019-12-30T07:00

It's the end of the year and it's time for a clips show! I (Matt Whitney) have pulled several highlights from the 50 episodes that we've now published under SDI Encounters and placed them here a...

EP048 - Support and Participate in Our Public Square of Spiritual Companionship from 2019-12-23T07:00

SDI is the Home of Spiritual Companionship - an inclusive, global learning community of people from many backgrounds who share a common passion and commitment to the art and contemplative practi...

EP047 - Connection with the Living World through Animals and Art - Straja Linder King and Madeline Rugh from 2019-12-16T08:00

In this episode Frederica Helmiere talks with Straja Linder King and Madeline Rugh over web conference software, on therapeutic connection with the living world, via art experiences, and in rela...

EP046 - Roleplaying Games as Spiritual Companionship - Rabbi Menachem Cohen from 2019-12-09T08:00

On this podcast we share a diverse range of stories and practices that involve spiritual companionship, and where I really get excited is when people are inventive and creative with th...

EP045 - My Boss is a Zen Priest - On Metamorphosis from 2019-12-02T10:39:09

This week I’m running the lastest episode of a series I’m calling “My Boss is a Zen Priest” –  so my boss is SDI’s Executive Director, Reverend Seifu Anil Singh-Molares. He’s my manager and he p...

Ep044 - Finding Agency in Brokenness and Embracing Change - Bayo Akomolafe and Jiordi Rosales - Part 2 from 2019-11-25T08:00

The next two podcasts revolve around a conversation between SDI staff and two curators of The Emergence Network -learn more about their work at  Listen

EP042 - Updates on SDI's Annual Conference and One-Night Sacred Feminine Celebration from 2019-11-08T16:46:10

It’s a special Friday afternoon house episode with Matt Whitney and Frederica Helmiere, updating you on two amazing upcoming events for spiritual companions. We give updates on our SDI Annual Co...

EP041 - Interspirituality and the Sacred Feminine - Reverend Ann Holmes Redding from 2019-11-04T09:00

Ann Holmes Redding is an author, university lecturer and former Episcopal priest who honors Islam alongside her Christian belief. She will be co-presenting with Mirabai Starr at a one-night even...

EP040 - Spiritual Journey - Iona with Frederica Helmiere and Dave Brown from 2019-10-28T08:28:47

This week we talk about Iona and Pilgrimage. Our Director of Events and Programs, Frederica Helmiere, chats with Pastor Dave Brown, one of the Pacific Northwest Interfaith Amigos, and one of the...

Ep039 - "I Was Re-Created." Diane Millis on Writing Her Book - Part 2 from 2019-10-21T14:32:23

Dr. Diane Millis is an inspirational speaker, teacher, writer and spiritual director. She's one of the most deeply respected and most popular workshop presenters at SDI's annual conferences. SDI...

EP038 - "I was re-created." Diane Millis on writing her book - Part 1 from 2019-10-15T08:15:49

Dr. Diane Millis is an inspirational speaker, teacher, writer and spiritual director. She's one of the most deeply respected and most popular workshop presenters at SDI's annual conferences. SDI...

EP037 - Rewilding and Companioning the Earth - Mary DeJong - Part 2 from 2019-10-07T09:00

Mary DeJong is a deep ecologist, ecotheologian, urban naturalist, and practitioner and guide of place-based pilgrimage. She specializes in the spiritual companionship of "rewilding." Mary facili...

EP036 - Rewilding and Companioning the Earth - Mary DeJong - Part 1 from 2019-09-30T09:00

Mary DeJong is a deep ecologist, ecotheologian, urban naturalist, and practitioner and guide of place-based pilgrimage. She specializes in the spiritual companionship of "rewilding." Mary facili...

EP035 - The Universal Christ - Fr Richard Rohr (from 2018 SDI Conference) - Part 2 from 2019-09-23T09:00

Fr. Richard Rohr is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition. He is a Franciscan priest of the...

EP034 - The Universal Christ - Fr Richard Rohr (from 2018 SDI Conference) - Part 1 from 2019-09-16T09:00

Fr. Richard Rohr is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition. He is a Franciscan priest of the N...

EP033 - Cultivating the Spirituality of Children - Kristen Hobby from 2019-09-09T09:22:46

We thought that spiritual companionship for children, and finding ways to cultivate children’s spirituality, would make an excellent podcast conversation.

Kristen Hobby is SDI’s Austral...

EP032 - Wild Mercy - Mirabai Starr on Feminine Wisdom from 2019-09-02T09:00

Mirabai Starr writes creative non-fiction and contemporary translations of sacred literature. She taught Philosophy and World Religions at the University of New Mexico-Taos for 20 years and now ...

EP031 - My Boss is a Zen Priest from 2019-08-26T09:00

With this episode we’re starting a new running series called “My Boss is a Zen Priest” – my boss is SDI’s Executive Director, Reverend Seifu Anil Singh-Molares. He’s my manager and he provides o...

EP030 - The Vitality of Spiritual Companionship - Ravi Verma from 2019-08-21T11:28:13

We really do believe that spiritual companionship is world-changing. We listen into being the stories of one another, discerning together the ways that Spirit manifests in each of our lives, and...

EP029 - Building Community with Bruce Calvin from 2019-08-12T13:03:29

Bruce Calvin is a spiritual director who trained at Mercy Center in Burlingame California. He is currently working on building supportive communities and opportunities for networking between spi...

EP028 - Are You A Spiritual Companion? from 2019-08-05T13:01:56

We are exploring in this episode the definition of a spiritual companion with Executive Director Reverend Seifu Anil Singh-Molares. Who is a Spiritual Companion? Many world religions have histor...

EP027 - Rabbi Lauren Tuchman - New Contemplatives from 2019-07-29T09:00

Rabbi Lauren Tuchman received rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2018.  As far as she is aware, she is the firs...

EP026 - Spirtual Journey with Kristen Hobby on Bhutan and Australia from 2019-07-22T12:42:21

SDI's Director of Programs and Events Frederica Helmiere continues her series on spiritual journey. This week she talks to Kristen Hobby, who is facilitating SDI Journeys to Bhutan in 2019, and ...

Ep025 - 2020 Santa Fe Conference Announced - Spiritual Companionship For Our Times from 2019-07-15T14:11:46

We are excited to announce that we are receiving registrations for our 2020 Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico, April 23-26, 2020! In this “house” podcast episode, Reverend Seifu Anil Singh-Mola...

Ep024 - Talking about SDI Webinars with Steven Crandell from 2019-07-09T12:51:22

Steven Crandell is the Director of Content at SDI, and the manager and curator of our SDI webinar series. I brought him into the studio to talk about our webinar series: online educational resou...

Ep023 - Spiritual Journey with Valerie Brown and Carol Kortsch from 2019-07-01T08:36:27

Intro: We’re continuing to explore spiritual travel on this podcast with our Events and Journeys Director, Frederica Helmiere. In this episode she has a conversation with Valerie Brown and Carol...

Ep022 - Travel with SDI Journeys - Rev Seifu and Frederica Helmiere from 2019-06-26T07:45:28

We're mixing up the format of the podcast this week! Our Events and Journeys Director, Frederica Helmiere, is doing a series of episodes on spiritual travel. We begin with this conversation betw...

Ep021 - This Life That is Ours - Parenting and Pilgrimage with Lauren Burdette from 2019-06-17T15:48:45

Lauren Burdette is a writer, spiritual director, and podcast host. She’s a former SDI New Contemplative and has mentored people through the New Contemplative program. Lauren has written a book c...

Ep020 - Leaning into Holy Hybridity - Karen Erlichman - Part 2 from 2019-06-10T08:22:13

Karen Lee Erlichman provides psychotherapy, spiritual direction and mentoring in San Francisco, integrating spiritual practices and body-centered resources to support healing. 

T...

Ep019 - Vocation and Calling with Karen Erlichman - Part 1 from 2019-06-03T14:09:28

This episode is part 1 of our conversation with Karen Erlichman, with this week’s focus on vocation – the process of discern...

Ep018 - Living a Life of Contemplation with Jan Lundy and Jeanette Banashak (Part 2) from 2019-05-29T09:55:44

This episode is part 2 of our conversation with Jan Lundy and Jeanette Banashek. Here we talk more about the training program they facilitate, called the Spiritual Guidance Training Institute – ...

Ep017 - Spiritual Fluidity with Jan Lundy and Jeanette Banashak (Part 1) from 2019-05-20T11:17:05

Jan Lundy and Jeanette Banashak are longtime members of SDI, they are spiritual directors, and founders of a unique training program called the Spiritual Guidance Training Institute – which educ...

Ep016 - Experiential Companionship with Sharon Seyfarth Garner from 2019-05-13T10:49:26

Sharon Seyfarth Garner, a spiritual companion, retreat facilitator, and director of Belly of the Whale Ministries.

Sharon facilitated a participatory art project called the Pray...

Ep015 - Receptivity and Connection through Singing Bowls - Stacy Au Coin and David Summerfield from 2019-05-07T10:39:29

Stacy Au Coin and David Summerfield facilitated a workshop at our Annual Conference this past March 2019 called “Seeking Connection Through Sound, Meditation, and Creative Exploration." The desc...

Ep014 - Remember Yourself with Rev. Seifu Anil Singh-Molares from 2019-04-29T14:23:08

This week’s episode features an ‘in-house podcast’ conversation with our Executive Director, Reverend Seifu Anil Singh-Molares, about a quarterly publication we produce called "Listen".

Ep013 - Dani Forbess on Embodied Spirituality from 2019-04-23T07:34:11

Dani Forbess is a pastor and spiritual care provider in the Seattle area, and was a presenter at our Post-Conference Retreat in Seabeck Washington. She studied at Seattle Pacific University and ...

Ep012 - Preeta Banerjee on Practicing Sacred Intention from 2019-04-15T15:41:48

Preeta M. Banerjee, PhD, is an SDI New Contemplative for 2019.? The SDI New Contemplatives Initiative seeks to encourage, understand and engage with spiritual directors in the first half of thei...

Ep011 - Becky Eldredge on Spirituality and Everyday Life from 2019-04-08T14:30:04

This week we chat with Becky Eldredge. Becky is a spiritual director, retreat leader, and mother of three young children based out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She is a former SDI New Contemplativ...

Ep010 - Ed Bastian, Interspiritual Meditation from 2019-04-02T09:38:24

In today's episode we interview Ed Bastian. Ed is the founding president of the Spiritual Paths Foundation, which provides programs, books, and websites for the study of meditation and the applicat...

Ep009 - Diane Millis, Re-Creating a Life from 2019-03-25T14:14:41

Dr Diane Millis is an inspirational speaker, teacher, writer and spiritual director. She's one of the most deeply respected and most popular workshop presenters at SDI's annual conferences. Diane a...

Ep008 - Mona Haydar Interview from 2019-03-14T09:00

Mona Haydar is a Muslim chaplain, performance artist, activist, and rapper. She grew up in Flint, Michigan as a Syrian American, and practices a life of sacred activism, poetry, contemplation, and ...

Ep007 - A Universe of Stories - Imam Jamal Rahman from 2019-03-13T15:00:35

Imam Jamal Rahman is?a popular speaker on Islam, Sufi spirituality and interfaith relations. Since 9/11/2001 Jamal has been collaborating regularly and actively with Rabbi Ted Falcon and Pastor Don...

Ep006 - Justice and Spiritual Companionship - Rabbi Amy Eilberg from 2019-03-07T15:27:26

SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE!!!
In this special episode, SDI Executive Director Reverend Seifu interviews Rabbi Amy Eilberg.
Rabbi Amy Eilberg is the first woman ordained as a Conservative rabbi b...

Ep005 - Nonviolence as Religion - Reverend Felicia Parazaider from 2019-03-04T15:43:57

In this week’s podcast, SDI Executive Director Reverend Seifu interviews Reverend Felicia Parazaidar. Reverend Felicia is an ordained interfaith minister and a radical sacred activist, rooted in no...

Ep004 - Abbot Genjo Marinello on Otherness and on being "The Stranger" from 2019-02-25T13:47:02

In this episode Rev. Seifu Anil Singh-Molares interviews Abbot Genjo Marinello.
They chat about a variety of topics including Listening, Otherness, and on being “The Stranger” and the tools use...

Ep003 - The Contemplative Activist from 2019-02-20T10:06:30

This episode is the third and last part in our initial 3-part series about the meaning of Spiritual Direction/Companionship and this episode focuses on contemplation and immersing ourselves in sile...

Ep002 - Oneness and Connection from 2019-02-11T14:31:52

This episode is the second in a series about the meaning of Spiritual Direction/Companionship and this episode focuses on universal connections.
A round table discussion lead by our Executive D...