~ Conversation StarterS ~

For each Growing Edge Podcast episode, we offer a conversation starter that you can download from our website for use with a small group or for your own meditation or journaling. Here are some questions and probes for this podcast with Barbara Kingsolver

For each Growing Edge Podcast episode, we offer a conversation starter that you can download from our website. You can use this with a small group or for your own meditation or journaling. This is our conversation starter for Episode 38. The Angels & The Furies

In this guide we consider our conversation with mediation teacher Sharon Salzberg, exploring the topics of suffering and the human condition, feeling what we feel and yet now getting stuck in that emotion. The importance of caring, balance and self compassion to avoid burn out. We discuss developing a flexibility of attention, even a light heartedness and the use of meditation and mindfulness to deepen our lives and sustain our work in the world.

Because Carrie was in the studio this month working on a new album, we decided not to record a new podcast for June. Instead, we are revisiting our 2019 interview with our dear friend, Mark Nepo, poet and author. In this interview we explored what it means to show up as our authentic self and how when we are in touch with our deepest human experiences we are in touch with our shared human experience.

Mark Nepo has moved and inspired readers and seekers all over the world with his #1 New York Times bestseller The Book of Awakening. Beloved as a poet, teacher, and storyteller, Mark has been called “one of the finest spiritual guides of our times”. To learn more about Mark Nepo click Here

This month’s conversation starter is inspired by our May, 2021 podcast, with Dr. Luther E. Smith Jr., Professor Emeritus at Candler Seminary, author, educator, pastor, mystic, and elder. In this episode we talk about how identity is shaped and expanded and how conversations about race could be more authentic and powerful. We also explore what it meant for him to follow a spiritual calling and the experiences that led him to his friendship and academic study of author and mystic, Howard Thurman.

For our April, 2021 podcast, we welcome singer songwriter, activist John McCutcheon, musician, activist and spiritual seeker. He has 41 albums to his credit, has received six Grammy Award nominations and worked for 40 years bringing together intelligent thoughtful songs, fearless commentary and music for social change. In this episode we talk about the power of music to connect and inspire, the dignity and value of each human being told in story and song, spiritual seeking and embracing the role of elder.

You may want to explore the podcast and Questions of the Month privately, through journaling and silent reflection. But we encourage you to consider gathering online for an exploration with one or more family members or friends. If that idea appeals to you, look into using Zoom, Facetime, Skype or some other video platform or talk with each other while practicing safe social distancing.