
Almost Awakened
A No-Nonsense Approach To Spirituality
Latest episodes

Feb 15, 2022 • 33min
Almost Awakened: 090: Alexandr Solzhenitzen – Climbing out of the Dark Night of the Soul
Britt flies solo today doing deep dive into nihilism, when deconstruction goes too far, and how to rebuild from the ashes.

Feb 9, 2022 • 1h 21min
Almost Awakened: 089: Consent
Britt and Bill take a deep dive into the topic of Consent. What is consent, How does it operate in our society in formal ways such as Medical consent or consent within research. What about Consent within the topics of Marriage, raising a family, and yes even Sex? Britt & Bill help the audience to sense that Consent when understood affects so much of how we show up for others such as our kids and grandkids and even on Karaoke night !
RESOURCES:https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/planning-managing/informed-consent/what-is-informed-consent.html#:~:text=Informed%20consent%20is%20a%20process,questions%20before%20procedures%20and%20treatments.
https://www.rainn.org/articles/what-is-consent
https://www.healthline.com/health/guide-to-consent
https://www.girlscouts.org/en/raising-girls/happy-and-healthy/happy/what-is-consent.html
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/06/01/728398532/how-to-talk-about-sex-and-consent-4-lessons-from-the-kink-community
https://www.npr.org/transcripts/972452455
https://www.npr.org/2021/03/01/972452455/navigating-consent-is-all-about-communication-heres-where-to-start
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/consent-or-coercion-revisiting-choices-we-made-when/id1548073775?i=1000527015014

Feb 2, 2022 • 1h 30min
Almost Awakened: 088: Bart Campolo – Humanize Me Part 2
Britt and Bill sit down with American humanist speaker and co-author of the book “Why I Left, Why I Britt and Bill sit down with American humanist speaker and co-author of the book “Why I Left, Why I Stayed: Conversations on Christianity Between an Evangelical Father and His Humanist Son” and discuss Deconstruction, Reconstruction and the future of Religion and humanity. Part one focused on the deconstruction of religion while part 2 delves into reconstruction from a humanist perspective.
RESOURCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bart_Campolo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Campolohttps://americanhumanist.org/what-we-do/grassroots/start-humanist-group-area/
https://ehrmanblog.org/my-interview-with-erstwhile-evanvgelist-now-secular-humanist-bart-campolo/

Jan 26, 2022 • 1h 17min
Almost Awakened: 087: Bart Campolo – Humanize Me – Part 1
Britt and Bill sit down with American humanist speaker and co-author of the book “Why I Left, Why I Stayed: Conversations on Christianity Between an Evangelical Father and His Humanist Son” and discuss Deconstruction, Reconstruction and the future of Religion and humanity
RESOURCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bart_Campolo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Campolo
https://ehrmanblog.org/my-interview-with-erstwhile-evanvgelist-now-secular-humanist-bart-campolo/
Are You Humanist?

Jan 18, 2022 • 1h 6min
Almost Awakened: 086: A No-Nonsense Approach to Spirituality
Today the Almost Awakened Podcast is revamped and goes through an upgrade and we share with all of you the improvements and the redesign.

Jan 8, 2022 • 33min
Almost Awakened: 085: Three Conversations
Today we delve into three stories of experiences that I was present for where something occurred and I was given by the universe an opportunity to respond. I will be bragging a bit but with the hope that you can each learn something that equips you to respond better in the world. Visit us at https://almostawakened.org/ Our reddit page https://www.reddit.com/r/AlmostAwakened/

Jan 4, 2022 • 1h 27min
Almost Awakened: 084: Jared Anderson – Consciousness, Transformation, and Men’s Work
This was an episode to another Podcast hosted by Bill Reel but there was so much in this episode that would pertain to the Almost Awakened audience that it has been published here as well.
Bill Reel sits down with Jared Anderson to discuss the inner work of Transformation. Along the way they hit on ideas of Consciousness, Tools that alter consciousness, human development, spiral dynamics, Men’s work, and leaving unhealthy systems. They cover a lot of ground and the conversation is insightful. If you wish to contact Jared you can email him at jaredandersoncoaching@gmail.com or visit his website linked below. You can watch the video version of this episode here https://youtu.be/a4LcQx88wj0
RESOURCES:
https://www.jaredandersoncoaching.com/
Integral Theory

Oct 18, 2021 • 57min
Almost Awakened: 083: Buddhism For Beginners Part 12 – The Buddha’s Last Teachings
Bill Sits down with Brittney Hartley, Jana Spangler and Anthony Miller and they tackle part 12 and the final session of Jack Kornfield’s series in an effort to help the Almost Awakened Audience sense the great resources and tools to a life well lived by exposing you to Buddhism and its contemplative nature. We are using as a backdrop the 12 part presentation by Jack Kornfield titled “Buddhism for Beginners” In Episode 12 We wrap up our series discussing “The Buddha’s Last Teachings” and how you the listener now need to go off and engage in the practice.
Brittney Hartley is the author of Mormon Philosophy Simplified. She has a masters degree in the Future of American Religion and is in training as a spiritual director with the Center for Non-religious Spirituality. Her work focuses on rebuilding spiritual health after religious trauma.
Jana Spangler is a Certified Integral Professional Coach with Symmetry Solutions who specializes in coaching individuals, couples, and families who are affected by shifting religious belief. She is an educator in subjects of faith, spiritual connection and development, and relationships. She attended The Living School under the direction of Fr. Richard Rohr, where she studied Contemplative Christianity and other wisdom traditions and how they can support the transforming work of love in ourselves, our communities, and the world.
Anthony Miller is an entrepreneur and education enthusiast in Billings, Montana, with Masters degrees in Business Administration and in Financial Services. After a lifetime of faithful membership in the church, he experienced a faith transition after he stumbled across the Gospel Topics Essays and similar materials in 2016, while he was searching for resources to support his adult gay son. Anthony blogs at UnpackingAmbiguity.com and is a frequent contributor to post and progressive Mormon support communities.Bill Reel is the Founder and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. a non-profit whose mission it is to provide resources and support to humans who are deconstructing unhealthy spiritual systems and to help those individuals reconstruct a new world view that values Authenticity and Vulnerability. Bill is the author of “Faith Development Explained” a document designed to help people understand their own awakening.
RESOURCES:Jack Kornfield – Buddhism for Beginners – https://www.audible.com/pd/Buddhism-for-Beginners-Jack-Kornfield-Audiobook/Eckhart Tolle – A New Earth – https://www.amazon.com/New-Earth-Awakening-Purpose-Selection/dp/0452289963The Urban Monk by: Pedram Shojai- https://www.amazon.com/Urban-Monk-Eastern-Success-Happiness/dp/1623366151John Horga – Rational Mysticism: Spirituality Meets Science in the Search for Enlightenment – https://www.amazon.com/Rational-Mysticism-Spirituality-Science-EnlightenmentDon Miguel Ruiz JrThe Five Levels of Attachment: Toltec Wisdom for the Modern World Hardcover – https://www.amazon.com/Five-Levels-Attachment-Toltec-Wisdom/dp/1938289080Rob Bell – Everything Is Spiritual: Finding Your Way in a Turbulent World – https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Spiritual-What-Were-Doing-ebook/dp/B0867R7P5JThis: Becoming Free – Michael Gungo – https://www.amazon.com/This-Becoming-Free-Michael-Gungor/dp/1944903615Finding God in the Waves: How I Lost My Faith and Found It Again Through Science – Mike McHargue – https://www.amazon.com/Finding-God-Waves-Through-Science-ebook/dp/B01A4B1QIYBathing With God – Glenn Ostlund – https://www.amazon.com/Bathing-God-Playfully-Engaging-Divinity/dp/1735605905 Falling Upward, Richard Rohr – https://www.amazon.com/Falling-Upward-Spirituality-Halves-Life/dp/0470907754Faith After Doubt – Brian McLaren – https://www.amazon.com/Faith-After-Doubt-Beliefs-Stopped/dp/1250262771/Living Buddha Living Christ- Thich Nhat Hanh – https://www.amazon.com/Living-Buddha-Christ-20th-Anniversary/dp/159448239XThe Power of Myth interview series with Bill Moyers & Joseph Campbell – https://billmoyers.com/series/joseph-campbell-and-the-power-of-myth-1988/The Wisdom Jesus, Cythia Bourgeault – https://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Jesus-Transforming-Mind-Perspective/dp/1590305809 Turning to the Mystics podcast with Jim Finley – https://www.amazon.com/Turning-Mystics-James-Finley/dp/B08JJRR1KQLearning How to See podcast with Brian McLaren – https://cac.org/podcast/learning-how-to-see/Michael Singer – The Untethered Soul / The SurrenderSearching for Sunday – Rachel Held Evans – https://www.amazon.com/Searching-Sunday-Loving-Leaving-Finding/dp/0718022122

Oct 4, 2021 • 60min
Almost Awakened: 082: Buddhism For Beginners Part 11: The Ten Perfections of the Heart
Bill Sits down with Brittney Hartley, Jana Spangler and Anthony Miller and they tackle part 11 in a series that seeks to help the Almost Awakened Audience sense the great resources and tools to a life well lived by exposing you to Buddhism and its contemplative nature. We are using as a backdrop the 12 part presentation by Jack Kornfield titled “Buddhism for Beginners” In Episode 11 We discuss “The Ten Perfections of the Heart” and how these positive attributes seem to show up naturally when we are being present.
Brittney Hartley is the author of Mormon Philosophy Simplified. She has a masters degree in the Future of American Religion and is in training as a spiritual director with the Center for Non-religious Spirituality. Her work focuses on rebuilding spiritual health after religious trauma.
Jana Spangler is a Certified Integral Professional Coach with Symmetry Solutions who specializes in coaching individuals, couples, and families who are affected by shifting religious belief. She is an educator in subjects of faith, spiritual connection and development, and relationships. She attended The Living School under the direction of Fr. Richard Rohr, where she studied Contemplative Christianity and other wisdom traditions and how they can support the transforming work of love in ourselves, our communities, and the world.
Anthony Miller is an entrepreneur and education enthusiast in Billings, Montana, with Masters degrees in Business Administration and in Financial Services. After a lifetime of faithful membership in the church, he experienced a faith transition after he stumbled across the Gospel Topics Essays and similar materials in 2016, while he was searching for resources to support his adult gay son. Anthony blogs at UnpackingAmbiguity.com and is a frequent contributor to post and progressive Mormon support communities.Bill Reel is the Founder and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. a non-profit whose mission it is to provide resources and support to humans who are deconstructing unhealthy spiritual systems and to help those individuals reconstruct a new world view that values Authenticity and Vulnerability. Bill is the author of “Faith Development Explained” a document designed to help people understand their own awakening.
Bill Reel is the Founder and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. a non-profit whose mission it is to provide resources and support to humans who are deconstructing unhealthy spiritual systems and to help those individuals reconstruct a new world view that values Authenticity and Vulnerability. Bill is the author of “Faith Development Explained” a document designed to help people understand their own awakening.
RESOURCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C4%81ramit%C4%81
https://www.learnreligions.com/the-perfections-of-theravada-buddhism-449617
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/study/perfections.html
The Ten Perfections
https://studybuddhism.com/en/advanced-studies/abhidharma-tenet-systems/comparison-of-buddhist-traditions/the-ten-perfections-in-theravada-mahayana-and-bon

Sep 27, 2021 • 0sec
Almost Awakened: 081: Buddhism For Beginners Part 10: The Four Elements
Bill Sits down with Jana Spangler and Anthony Miller and they tackle part 10 in a series that seeks to help the Almost Awakened Audience sense the great resources and tools to a life well lived by exposing you to Buddhism and its contemplative nature. We are using as a backdrop the 12 part presentation by Jack Kornfield titled “Buddhism for Beginners”
The goal of this series is to help you to be a more authentic & healthier version of yourself.
In part 10 we discuss the Four Elements
Earth
Fire
Air
Water
Jana Spangler is a Certified Integral Professional Coach with Symmetry Solutions who specializes in coaching individuals, couples, and families who are affected by shifting religious belief. She is an educator in subjects of faith, spiritual connection and development, and relationships. She attended The Living School under the direction of Fr. Richard Rohr, where she studied Contemplative Christianity and other wisdom traditions and how they can support the transforming work of love in ourselves, our communities, and the world.
Anthony Miller is an entrepreneur and education enthusiast in Billings, Montana, with Masters degrees in Business Administration and in Financial Services. After a lifetime of faithful membership in the church, he experienced a faith transition after he stumbled across the Gospel Topics Essays and similar materials in 2016, while he was searching for resources to support his adult gay son. Anthony blogs at UnpackingAmbiguity.com and is a frequent contributor to post and progressive Mormon support communities.
Bill Reel is the Founder and Executive Director of Mormon Discussion Inc. a non-profit whose mission it is to provide resources and support to humans who are deconstructing unhealthy spiritual systems and to help those individuals reconstruct a new world view that values Authenticity and Vulnerability. Bill is the author of “Faith Development Explained” a document designed to help people understand their own awakening.
RESOURCES:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mah%C4%81bh%C5%ABta#:~:text=(Verse%202.12).-,Buddhism,%2C%20water%2C%20fire%20and%20airhttp://buddhistpeacefellowship.org/4-elements-strengthen-us/https://tricycle.org/magazine/the-elemental-self/