The Eternal Current Podcast

David Bailey, Ashlee Eiland, and Drew Jackson reflect on the previous episode with Dr Barbara A Holmes. From their experience in the black church—and moving through life in black bodies—they explored Dr Holmes’ vision of the universal moan and invited us all to participate in appropriate ways. A beautiful and stretching conversation with three incredible guides.

Spiritual teacher, activist, and scholar Dr Barbara A. Holmes unpacks her game-changing book Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church. She gently and brilliantly invites us to move beyond a Eurocentric imagination and into the deeper Christian stream that connect us all. 

Pastor Rich Villodas returns to explore the five themes of his wonderful book, The Deeply Formed Life. Through teaching and stories, he helps us consider the formative practices of contemplative rhythms, racial reconciliation, interior examination, sexual wholeness, and missional presence. May we learn to live deeply in a shallow world.

Fr Michael Sparough, SJ, returns to share his story and struggle to hold the contemplative life together with bold and courageous action. Must we choose to be an exhausted activist or an isolated contemplative? Or can we learn to hold the inward and outward journeys together in constructive tension? Please join this insightful conversation and guided practice.

Author and historian Kristin Kobes Du Mez joins Aaron to talk about her provocative new book, Jesus and John Wayne. In the first half of this episode, Kristin shares the history of how white Evangelicalism was malformed through an embrace of toxic masculinity. In the second half, three compelling guests join the conversation to explore the practices that can help us repent, heal, and return to the Way of Christ.

Pastor Drew Jackson shares about the communal practices that help anchor his church in God's tangible love for the East Village of NYC. He talks about the embodied work of justice, why preaching alone is not enough, and how his community cultivates a life of action and contemplation. Drew also guides us in two different practices.

Fr Ron Rolheiser, OMI, teaches the universal pattern of death, resurrection, waiting, letting go, and receiving a new spirit for new life. Teaching from his brilliant book, The Holy Longing, Fr Ron observes that the Christian church has only taught us half of this Paschal Mystery—which is why so many of us live in disappointment, resentment, and a distinct lack of joy. But life to the full is possible. Don’t miss this one.

Tish Harrison Warren, Anglican priest and gifted writer, shares her story of loss, doubt, and dark night of the soul. Through the nighttime prayer of Compline, she describes a tender but deeply grounded pathway into a new space of honesty, trust and hope. At the very end, Tish guides us through a short Compline experience. For all who work or watch or weep.

In this vulnerable episode, Aaron offers his messy faith story of the last couple years. May it create a bit of safe space for you to engage the losing and finding of your faith.  And may we all be swept more fully into the depth of Reality and the Hope of a God who has not given up on us or the world.

Aaron shares the heart and invitation of Season 2: Swimming During a Tsunami. Over the next twelve episodes, we will explore the question: How do we not drown in the whirlpool of society's chaos and religion's complicity?  Is it even possible in 2021 to swim in the river that Christ called 'life to the full'?  And if so…HOW?  Season 2 invites us back into the themes of the Eternal Current with new guests, new questions, and new concrete practices. Join us!