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Contemplify: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Paul Swanson | Contemplative Shoveler
The Contemplify podcast kindles the examined life for contemplatives in the world. Through artful musings & conversations with scholars, creatives, and master teachers each episode delivers a subtly intoxicating* exchange on the contemplative lifestyle with practical takeaways to emulate in daily life. Host, Paul Swanson, is a husband, father and contemplative educator at the Center for Action and Contemplation and co-host of Another Name for Every Thing with Richard Rohr**.*Contemplify is best served with a pint in hand. Please listen responsibly.** All shenanigans, tom foolery and bally-hoo posted on Contemplify are my own. Contemplify is not representative of the Center for Action and Contemplation or Richard Rohr on any matter.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 2 weeks ago1h 13m
Beverly Lanzetta on Birthing a New Mysticism
"With poetic clarity and theological depth, Beverly Lanzetta names the sacred within the human, the Divine Feminine within tradition, and the transforming power of contemplation for our wounded world." — Fr. Adam Bucko Beverly Lanzetta, Ph.D., is a theologian, contemplative scholar and teacher, and the author of a number of groundbreaking books, her most recent is the centerpiece of our conversation, Birthing a New Mysticism: Contemplation in Ten Parts. A rich and precise invitation to seekers of all stripes hear the contemplative call. We talk about via feminina, mystical activism in a suffering world, dark nights of the soul, and what has become clearer since the last time we spoke, Visit Beverly Lanzetta at beverlylanzetta.net Visit contemplify.com for shownotes
- May 1, 20261h 21m
Dr. Liza J. Rankow on Soul Medicine for a Fractured World
"In the ashes of all we have lost, a world of liberation is waiting to be born, if we are brave enough to labor for it. Like the wisest midwife, Liza Rankow takes our hand and offers practical tools to unlock a courage we did not know we had. The result: a journey into healing, spirituality, and social justice that rebirths the world within us and around us." — Valarie Kaur, author, See No Stranger and Sage Warrior Dr. Liza J. Rankow is an interfaith minister, educator, activist, and author. Her lifework centers the deep healing that is essential to personal and social transformation. Liza is the founder and former executive director of OneLife Institute, which for almost 20 years supported the well-being of frontline changemakers. She has been a spiritual counselor and teacher for more than three decades, working with individual clients, facilitating healing retreats, and offering classes and workshops in a variety of community and academic settings. Liza is the producer and co-editor of The Living Wisdom of Howard Thurman audio collection. Her new book is Soul Medicine for a Fractured World: Healing, Justice, and the Path of Wholeness. Visit Dr. Liza Rankow at lizarankow.org Visit Contemplify.com for shownotes
- Apr 1, 20261h 17m
Philip Connors on The Mountain Knows the Mountain: A Fire Watch Diary
Philip Connors is a fire lookout, essayist, and author of four books. A former journalist at the Wall Street Journal, Connors has been a fire lookout in the Gila National Forest for over twenty years. In our conversation today we focus on his latest book, The Mountain Knows the Mountain: A Fire Watch Diary, the life of a fire lookout, attention and dialogue with place, and I reignite the question I asked him at live reading that has stirred my interior soup for months. I heartily recommend all of Philip Connors' books, The Mountain Knows the Mountain is my favorite. Visit Philip Connors at philipconnors.com Visit Contemplify at contemplify.com
- Mar 4, 20261h 31m
Anna Tivel on Animal Poem, Short Stories, and Checking Your Shoes
"Through her graceful poetry and pristine instrumentation, the folk singer delivers indictments of modern indignities alongside moments of hope." — Pitchfork Anna Tivel is an award-winning songwriter and musician from Portland, Oregon. In our conversation we traverse many topics; short stories, poetry, checking for shit on your shoes, and Anna's latest spellbinding album, Animal Poem. For me, this felt like old friends talking about matters close to the heart despite this being our first real conversation. Anna Tivel is thoughtful, funny, inquisitive, and one of the best working songwriters out there. Pick a copy of Animal Poem at Fluff & Gravy Records. Visit Anna Tivel at annativel.com | IG: @annativel Visit Contemplify.com for show notes.
- Feb 1, 202659 min
Dr. Martin Shaw on Liturgies of the Wild
"Here is a rosary of soaring myth, gripping narrative, and deep wisdom, all told with breathtaking verve that enchants and sweeps us along, from first word to last. A superb, inspiring read." — Gabor Maté, author of The Myth of Normal Dr. Martin Shaw a writer, mythographer, wilderness guide, and Christian thinker. In our conversation we delve into his latest book, Liturgies of the Wild: Myths That Make Us. A book that any personal library would benefit from. Shaw delivers a rousing grasp of the mythic life from a poetic lens of the dream of Christianity. A master storyteller with wit and wisdom, that will have you smiling as resonant tears well in your eyes. Visit Dr. Martin Shaw at drmartinshaw.com | IG: @drmartinshaw | Substack: The House of Beasts & Vines Visit contemplify.com for shownotes.
- Jan 26, 20265 min
Vision for a New Cabinet by Teddy Macker (Season 7 Trailer)
Season 7 is hatching. A series of conversations has come together, mighty and beautiful folks offering feathered insight and story from their unique perch in the world (I am going to shift things up a bit and share a conversation once a month for Season 7). But first, here and now, Teddy Macker is going to share a piece that gave me goosebumps the first time I encountered it. If Contemplify had a poet laureate, Teddy would surely be it. So sit back and receive this "VISION FOR A NEW CABINET: A Proposal of Possibilities for the Next American President" written and read by Teddy Macker. First episode of Season 7 will land in February.
- Jan 2, 20265 min
The Famous One
Musing on obituaries with your name on it.
- Dec 20, 202559 min
Remembering Lerita Coleman Brown on Waiting for a Word in the Heart
Remembering Lerita Coleman Brown
About Contemplify
The Contemplify podcast kindles the examined life for contemplatives in the world. Through artful musings & conversations with scholars, creatives, and master teachers each episode delivers a subtly intoxicating* exchange on the contemplative lifestyle with practical takeaways to emulate in daily life. Host, Paul Swanson, is a husband, father and contemplative educator at the Center for Action and Contemplation and co-host of Another Name for Every Thing with Richard Rohr**.*Contemplify is best served with a pint in hand. Please listen responsibly.** All shenanigans, tom foolery and bally-hoo posted on Contemplify are my own. Contemplify is not representative of the Center for Action and Contemplation or Richard Rohr on any matter.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Contemplify as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
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When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
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How often does Contemplify release new episodes?
Contemplify publishes biweekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Contemplify cover?
Contemplify covers topics including Religion & Spirituality, Spirituality, Philosophy, Culture, Society & Culture. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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