The Leader’s Way

In this Halloween episode, the Rev’d Dr. Gabrielle Thomas and Dr. Hannah Black talk about some of their favorite people: the fourth century Cappadocians. Thomas shares what her research has uncovered about the Cappadocians’ understanding of the devil. Spoiler: He is not a red guy with horns. Rather, our fourth-century guides view him as the enemy of salvation and the church.

In this episode, hear from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Dean of Berkeley Divinity School Andrew McGowan on the centrality of love to Christianity. This live conversation, mediated by nationally bestselling author Deborah Royce, was recorded at the Yale Club in New York City inMay 2023. It celebrates the debut of the film, A Case for Love, a Grace-Based Films documentary about Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s teachings and writings.

Dr. Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell is a research professor at Duke Global Health Institute. In this episode, she shares research findings from the Clergy Health Initiative. She talks about the differences in behaviors between flourishing and burnt-out clergy. Rae Jean shares practical strategies for clergy to guard themselves against burnout as well as her tips for seminarians.

The doctrine of the Trinity is as foundational to Christianity as it is elusive and even confounding. While the Trinity seems to many like a distant theological formulation, writer, contemplative teacher, and therapist, Dr. Robert Jonas shares insights about just how intimate, practical, and transformative the Trinity can be in daily life. Revealing Jesus as a teacher of “non-dual” and trinitarian awareness, Jonas presents fresh ways in which the liberating core of Christianity is available to us all.

What is it like to be the spiritual leader for 75,000 people? What do the challenges of the Church look like from the perspective of an Episcopal bishop, and how does one find hope in a world with so much hardship? Bishop Andrew Doyle handles these questions and more with ease, authenticity, and copious amounts of hope in what feels like a comfortable conversation in a favorite neighborhood café.   

In her latest book, Re-Enchanting the Earth: Why AI Needs Religion, scientist and theologian Ilia Delio takes up the challenge of reconciling evolution and religion with particular attention to the role of Artificial Intelligence. She argues that AI represents the latest extension of human evolution, which has implications not only for science but also for religion. Our conversation explores Sr. Ilia's vocation story, the theology of Teilhard de Chardin, and why she is still hopeful about our collective future.

How can we sustain ourselves through the rigors and demands of ministry? How can contemplative practices buoy our spirits and our bodies as we seek to serve the Church and the world? How can timeless practices offer timely wisdom to our aching world? This expansive conversation is both deeply traditional and completely fresh as it seeks to wrestle with these profound questions in new ways. The Rev’d. Hillary Raining, D.Min. is the Director of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania and founder of The Hive, an online spirituality and wellness community. In addition to parish ministry, she is a published writer in both church and academic fields. She has also served on numerous Diocesan and Episcopal Church Conventions, Committees and Boards. Currently, Raining serves The General Theological Seminary as the Director of the Center for Christian Spirituality and Affiliated Professor of Ascetic & Liturgical Theology. Additionally, Hillary is a spiritual director, yoga & meditation instructor, bee keeper, and forest therapist. Hillary teaches regularly at www.thehiveapiary.com and you are welcome to become a member!