Academy Podcast

In this episode, Claire is joined by Elaine Heath, Academy faculty, Upper Room Books author, and so much more. Elaine’s scholarly work is interdisciplinary, integrating pastoral, biblical, and spiritual theology in ways that bridge the gap between academy, church, and world. Her current research interests focus on community as a means of healing trauma, emergent forms of Christianity, and alternative forms of theological education for the church in rapidly changing contexts. What follows is a conversation with Elaine about what is needed from us as spiritual leaders for these times, what it means to “neighbor well,” the profound and sound theology of Julian of Norwich, and so much more.

In this episode, Claire speaks with Roger Owens from his home in Pittsburgh, where he’s now teaching spiritual formation classes to his seminary students online, enjoying family meals with his teenagers again, and discovering that The Academy and its rhythms are a helpful guide in this time of global pandemic...and always. What follows is a conversation with Roger about the expansiveness of God, the invitations of a global pandemic, his writing process, the spiritual practice of music, and more.

In this episode Claire talks with Frank Rogers via Zoom about all things spiritual formation, being gentle with ourselves in the midst of difficult emotions, how he found himself working the The Academy, practicing compassion, and more. What follows is an honest conversation with Frank about what it is to be human and healing in these uncertain times. It is full of joy and endless compassion, all things Frank embodies and lives in beautiful and inspiring ways.

"Today," our host, Claire, says, "I get to talk with Amy Oden via Zoom about all things spiritual formation, healing in the time of COVID-19, her work with the Academy and why she thinks it’s important, and more. What follows is a conversation with Amy, who is a friend, mentor, and colleague in the way of Love."

In this month's podcast, our host, Claire, talks with Victor Perez via Zoom about all things Bilingual (Spanish + English) Academy #42, which is scheduled to begin in August 2020 in San Antonio, TX, breathing deeply in the midst of a global pandemic, spiritual practice, prayer, family, Puerto Rico, and more. What follows is a conversation about what it is to be human and searching for true connection in these uncertain times.

Our host, Claire, describes this month's podcast saying, "In this month’s podcast, I sit down with Marjorie Thompson, who is a longtime Academy faculty person, author, and my personal spiritual director. In light of the recent tornadoes that devastated parts of Nashville and Tennessee, as well as growing concerns about the coronavirus throughout the world and a politically charged election season here in the US, I wanted to talk with Marjorie about how to remain grounded faith leaders in the midst of chaos, disaster, and fear...What follows is a heartfelt conversation with one of my spiritual guides, a true friend and companion along the Way of Love. "

In this month’s podcast, our host, Claire, sits down with Academy Director, Johnny Sears, for a conversation on all things spiritual formation, family, poetry, leadership, and life. He and I are what we like to call soul siblings—much more than colleagues, although we’re that to each other, too. We get to lead The Academy together, and it is truly a gift. We hope you enjoy listening in on our conversation this month – and we hope it might inspire you to sit down with your own colleagues, soul siblings, and loved ones and do the same.

This month’s podcast features teaching from Rabbi David Horowitz at Two-Year Academy #41 in Alabama where he taught on Hebrew Spirituality. With his sharp wit, expansive knowledge, and deep compassion, Rabbi David offers us a place to listen, learn, and let go into the presence and breath of God. Rabbi David still resides in Akron, OH with his wife, Toby, and spends his time gushing about his grandchildren, traveling, reading, writing, and, thankfully for us, teaching at The Academy. Academy Faculty since 2004, Rabbi David is, indeed, a friend and teacher to us all.

This month’s podcast features teaching from Jane Vennard from Two-Year Academy #38 in Nebraska when she offered insight, invitation, and reflection into the important topic of spirituality and embodiment. Offering listeners questions about how and when and where we honor, pay attention, and care for our bodies, Jane’s teaching is a master class in spiritual direction, an invitation for all of us to pause and really examine the love we show these bodies of ours...the only ones we’ve got.

This month’s podcast features a conversation between Academy Podcast Host and Associate Director, Claire McKeever-Burgett, and Academy Worship Leader, Upper Room Books author, and Director of Prayer and Worship Life at The Upper Room, Beth Richardson. They talk about everything from Academy worship to spiritual formation in a divided world, church, and culture to geographical landscapes of faith to how spiritual practice informs the writing and creative processes.

This month’s podcast features teaching from Roger Owens at Two-Year Academy #36 in San Antonio, TX where he taught on “Traditions of Christian Spirituality.” Walking us through the Ignatian spiritual practice of “Examen,” Roger illumines an age-old exercise that is applicable and perhaps even essential in our modern lives. Featured on this podcast before, Roger continues to offer us guidance and wisdom in the way of spiritual formation, reminding us that when we pay attention we can be open to true transformation.

This month, we’re throwin’ it back for summer, encouraging you to listen and re-listen to our top 9 episodes from days gone by. Healing and Wholeness with Sister Kathleen Flood; The Pilgrim's Path with Loyd Allen; The Word of God in Me with Grace Imathiu; Bearing Witness with Ray Buckley; Hospitality as a Spiritual Practice by Amy Oden; Spiritual Friendship and Shared Vocation, Honoring Our Ancestors, and Love in Action with Parker Palmer; and One Breath at a Time with Dana Trent. Each of these episodes will be featured on our website podcast page at academy.upperroom.org/podcast.

This month’s podcast features teaching from Elaine Heath at a 2014 Five-Day Academy in North Carolina, where she offered a series of lectures entitled, “The Way of Wisdom.” Serving as faculty for many Academies throughout the years, Elaine, through her writing, teaching, and presence, offers us hope in the midst of despair, wisdom in the midst of foolishness, and mercy in the midst of judgment.

This month’s podcast features teaching from Don Saliers on the liturgy of the Psalms, offered at a Five-Day Academy in 2015 in Alabama. Calling us to the depths of the human heart, Don illumines the Psalms as a “school of prayer” that invites humanity to operate at full stretch and to use language to talk about God that is language of the heart. The Psalms are where we find such language to guide us.

Walking Gently on the Ground of Experience by Academy Podcast

Nurturing and Enhancing Life by Academy Podcast

This month’s podcast features teaching from Grace Imathiu at a 2015 Five-Day Academy in Nebraska on the topic of “The Word of God in Me.” Grace uses the story of the rich young ruler in Mark, chapter 10 to reveal how when we find ourselves in scripture, we find ourselves connected to our faith in new and transformative ways. Grace considers the world as her parish. As an African who is married to a European and is raising an American son, Grace is committed to advocating for the inclusion of all people. Her sermons and teachings are always exegeted as tools of justice on the intersections of religion, race, sexuality, and gender. As you listen to her teaching, may you find yourself in the sacred text and may that discovery lead you closer to God.

In this month’s podcast, our host, Claire McKeever-Burgett had the honor of interviewing Dana Trent, Academy faculty, Upper Room Books author, and professor of world religions and critical thinking at Wake Tech Community College. Dana is also an ordained Baptist minister and former hospital chaplain, and her work has appeared on Time.com, and in Religion News Service, Sojourners, Religion Dispatches, and The Christian Century. Her third book, "One Breath At a Time: A Skeptic's Guide to Christian Meditation", was released January 1 of this year from Upper Room Books and serves as the focus of their conversation.

This month’s podcast is the third in a series of conversations with Parker Palmer, released in both audio and visual formats. In June 2018, Academy Director Johnny Sears, visited with Parker in the Palmer home in Madison, WI, and we were lucky enough to get to film it. Parker and Johnny talked about everything from vulnerability to what makes a good leader, to how to sustain the work of The Academy for the next 35 years. What follows is an offering from their conversation in which Parker summons us to celebrate our accomplishments and to honor our ancestors. We share the following excerpt in hopes that Parker’s wisdom might enrich your own lives and the conversations that comprise them in the same ways his wisdom influences and shapes us.

Love In Action by Academy Podcast