Paddle Pilgrim Podcast

When we go outside and PLAY we will learn some of life's greatest lessons in the Great Classroom and Cathedral!

Finally, after this "ants-in-the-pants" kid had exhausted my mother's patience, she would say "Go, outside and play!"  This second of three episodes explore how after the initial step to GO. the best place in life's learning adventure of discovery is OUTSIDE is the Great Classroom!

Finally, after this "ants-in-the-pants" kid had exhausted my mother's patience, she would say "GO, outside and play!"  This first of three episodes explores how the initial step in life's learning adventure of discovery is to GO!

Enjoy the musical journey of a young African American from the Bronx to his position as Director of Chapel Music at Yale University and compositions from Bach to Africa.

Enjoy a wonderful variety of "favorite" holiday music from Lost and Found, Marty Haugen, Jane Henderson, Dr. Abe Caceres, Agape, Karin Larsen, and Will Chiles. 

Noah Brown in 8 years old and in the 2nd grade. He loves to read, swim, and play basketball.

Izzy Nesse Lindberg is 11 and in the 6th grade.  She loves to read and to draw and paint.

Max is twelve and in 7th grade and loves school, playing games, and doodling!

Enjoy a conversation between Dave, the writer; Ron, the illustrator; and Anne, who did lay-out/graphic art, and learn how this book came together.

Jessica is 13 and in 7th grade. Her favorite school subjects are math, English, social studies, and Spanish. She loves playing basketball and swimming.

Liam is eleven and in sixth grade and loves animals and reading and learning lessons about helping others.

Brooklyn is 12 and in the 6th grade and loves math, playing softball, and reading stories to her little brother.

Lucas is seven and a second-grader who loves legos, playing his violin, swimming, and writing and illustrating his own stories.. 

Learn how this outdoor adventure began and meet Grizz and his amazing animal friends.

Enjoy the music of Agape, The Springman's, Karin Larsen, Will Chiles, and a "surprise" finale.

Enjoy an encore of music from Rachel Kurtz, Chris Clay. Dr.Andrew Last/Nordic Choir, and Lost and Found.

Enjoy the music of Jonathan Rundman, Marty Haugen, Jane Henderson, Dr. Abe Caceres, Celia Whitler, and Steven Amundson.

In her role as a worship leader/teacher in a church setting, Karin weaves together words and melody with exceptional musical skill, theological depth, and improvisation born of the Spirit's inspiration. 

Steven Amundson, the long-time conductor of the famed St. Olaf Orchestra, shares how music has shaped his life and can shape our minds and hearts building bridges between people and community in our fractured world.

Will Chiles composes and performs music that draws from many genres: folk, country, bluegrass, choral, hymns, and indigenous weaving a tapestry of sounds and words that move the body and stir the spirit!

Jane's vocal and keyboard skills take us on a musical journey through the worlds of jazz, pop, blues, gospel, choral, and sacred.  Your heart will be stretched...

Dr. Abe is an ethnomusicologist and a gifted composer and musician who writes and shares a musical journey from many cultures. His world-music expresses our amazing diversity and builds vibrant community.

Composer of songs, hymns, liturgy, and musicals, Marty Haugen's wonderful music speaks to all the seasons of our lives with simplicity and profundity, and grace.

Sometimes you have to look hard and listen well to discover your friends.

Weaving together country and gospel, Celia uses her gifts to compose, sing, and inspire with songs that passionately explore the highs and lows of life. 

What began as a bike trip across the country became a long and winding and wonderful musical journey with songs that lift your spirit, challenge your values, and deepen your faith.

A lively and fun musical family journey with lots of good lessons along the way.  Invite your kids and grandkids to listen ... 

Known the world over as Agape, David Sherer is a hip-hop artist whose rhythm and poetry weave together real-world themes of justice, peace, and hope. 

Enjoy magnificent music from the Nordic Choir punctuated by personal anecdotes and songs on a musical journey from a small river town on the Mississippi to the great concert halls.

Singer/songwriter Rachel Kurtz weaves together a lively faith, real-world issues, and her personal journey in authentic music that stirs the soul.

Brian Christopher Clay does it all:  Jazz, Blues, R&B, Gospel, and Pop.  Join a journey that began at age 4 and enjoy the beautiful music he has been making for years...

How will Grizz and his animal friends solve the latest problem they face?   Learn how they enjoy working together and helping each other.

A musical journey and mini-concert with the singer/songwriter.  Special bonus: the world premiere of a new tune.

When we pause, ponder, pray, play, and pare we are actually practicing and living the PLAN for a healthy and happy life post-pandemic.  

How to pare, prune, and simplify your life for added meaning and joy and so that "others may simply live."

We know we need to play more, but what is PLAY?   Learn from children, research, and the Nordic practice of Fresh Air Life and Go Outside and Play!

Explore the variety of ways to pray, find your prayer path, and be sustained and strengthened during this time of Pandemic...and always!

 When we "pause" we have the opportunity to "ponder" and explore not only the external scenery of our lives, but our "inner landscapes" and discover deeper meaning and value on our life journey.

Dr. O. gives an update on the Coronavirus Pandemic with wisdom for individuals, schools, religious institutions, and our nation as well as sharing what and who led him to become a "bug detective." 

During this time of Pandemic the experience of "portaging" and leaving the river to carry one's gear and canoe/kayak around a waterfall or rapids can become a time of learning and growth.  We begin the journey by "pausing."

This series will help listeners navigate, survive, and thrive during the pandemic by pausing, pondering, praying, processing, playing, planning, paring, and creating a new Paradigm with greater peace, joy, and hope.

Dave shares life lessons from his journey as a pastor, professor, and paddle pilgrim in a lively conversation with his former student, Bello Dondja.

Pastor Casey shares his trail-blazing and courageous journey as a Gay Pastor serving his congregation and doing outreach and community organizing in the GLBTQ+ community.  His ministry helps us discover what the church should be all about...loving and serving all people!

Their parents brought them as children to the United States seeking the American Dream.  Hear the struggles and achievements and hopes of these successful young college graduates and business professionals.

Join this adventurous person for wise and witty observations from his journey which has included stops at Oxford for his Ph.D., alternative lifestyle communities across the U.S., and current teaching in history, political thought, and religion at Concordia University in Southern California.

Kelly weaves together his varied and diverse work in schools, churches, and neighborhoods and says "It's all about relationships," as we battle against racism, discrimination, and privilege and engage in conversation and action to build God's world of justice and peace.

Sue teaches that the outdoors can be a wonder-filled place for early learning...just add some water, dirt, mud, sticks, rocks, plant, and trees.  Using the teachings of Richard Louv, Claire Worden, and her own outdoor experience on a farm in Oregon, in the bush of Alaska, and in an urban rooftop learning center,  explore how you can develop early learning in this time of pandemic that is safe and develops body, mind, and spirit.

Follow Bello's journey from a village in Africa to America; his struggles communicating and the joy of overcoming those obstacles to become a communication professional who uses his skills to help individuals and organizations communicate electronically as well as to mentor young people like himself to find their voice.

Taking her inspiration to create art from the natural world and her outdoor adventures down the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers and the Fjords of Norway, Ellen encourages in all of us a deep sense of wonder and creativity.  

Mark shares how his mentors invited him into servant-leadership and then "got out of the way..."   Now as a parent and educator Mark helps young people discover their gifts and call to serve others.

An amazing journey that began on a ranch in Idaho to a vocation in science and research in genetics at the University of Washington, Alan's work and life calling have come together as a cancer survivor.

Heather explores the unique opportunities to recognize and nurture the spirituality of children from her experience as a professor, researcher, mother, and wife.

It's all about relationships and what we say after we say "hello."   Lyle explores how to train youth and adults in the skill and spirituality of deepening human relationships and ultimately "loving one's neighbor."

Representative Santos takes us into the world of politics and how her journey in her immigrant community shaped and propelled her into creating public policy which helps all people achieve their full potential.

Rick shares how travel can broaden our perspective and help us become world citizens.  Keep on traveling...

Learn about a wonderful cooperative effort to save the planet led by people from a wide variety of spiritual traditions, faiths, and religious organizations. 

Since our original podcast with Rachel, the world has changed.  The murder of George Floyd has re-awakened the world to the violence and injustice of systemic racism and the reality of white privilege.  Here are Rachel's experiences during this time of "Uprising."

A conversation with Rachel about her life journey and, of course, some great music!

Christian shares his journey from the streets of Tacoma to becoming a teacher/mentor to young people, an award-winning poet, and a community leader/activist.

The breath of the Spirit creates, restores, and advocates abundant life for all people.  Breathe deep the breath of God.

Fences can be very important, but this line from Robert Frost's poem, The Mending Wall, is often misunderstood and misses deeper wisdom.

It makes all the difference in your life...whether ancient wisdom from the bible or from scientific research, gratitude reduces stress, sharpens thinking, promotes healing, improves sleep, and brings happiness and contentment.

Freedom doesn't mean I can do whatever I would like.  My freedom must always consider how it impacts other people.  It not an "either-or" but a "both-and."  This challenge promotes a society in which the "common good" is the ultimate measure of democracy,

  Take a walk in the French countryside with Brother Jacque from the Taize Community and glean his earthly spiritual wisdom.

A short story from Fr. Ernesto Cardinal in Guatamala about what Culture really means...

Music powers movements for social justice. This anthem by Pete Seeger has galvanized peace, civil rights, women, and environmental movements around the world.  Sing along and work for the change you advocate in the world.

Celebrating Earth Day's 50th Anniversary with vibrant lessons about creation care from the bible, a master gardener, and Fr. Jacque from the Taize Community in France.

The earth is a great classroom, laboratory, and cathedral.  Nature can become one of our best teachers if we cultivate (dig into) the soil and not only we will produce food for hungry people but hope our planet!

This 3rd episode in a series on Life and Death explores the paradox of how the "little deaths" of letting go can lead to real life

This 2nd episode in the Life and Death series suggests that graceful aging involves a strong dose of acceptance of limits but also fighting the good fight and not "giving in."

This 1st episode in the Life and Death series examines Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross' "stages" death and dying and Rev. Granger Westberg's "stages" of grieving.   Each affirms our body/mind/spirit as we experience loss.

Yes, but...  Dive deeper into a discussion of how this statement can be very unhelpful and how often we need to take the opportunity to listen to and learn from each other. 

This phrase which means "the god in me greets the god in you..." can build bridges and grow relationships as we see the divine and the holy in each other.

This Sufi phrase contains great wisdom in this time of Pandemic lifting our gaze from the immediate and troubling to the future and the hopeful!

A short "trailer" which describes the purpose of the Say What? podcast...