Text me your thoughts! A tornado of chaos is roaring across our social landscape today. The mental energy diverted by chaotic events reduces our joy in life. Some may develop a generalized anxiety that infects nearly every thought. We can find help in taming our minds with spiritual insight and a practice called “Safe Place Visualization.” With the chaos everywhere, listen to this episode for practical help in building a needed skill. Segments include: Worry can come from anywhere Generalized An...
Jun 26, 2025•11 min•Ep. 93
Text me your thoughts! In this personal episode, I share how dealing with a chronic illness brings constant challenge. My experience of treating pre-cancerous oral leukoplakia confronted me physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This episode chronicles the journey from inconvenient pain to risky surgery as the disease progresses. I share my story, theology, and insight with the hope of supporting anyone facing chronic illness or difficult situation. Segments include: A deadly condition appear...
Jun 12, 2025•15 min•Ep. 92
Text me your thoughts! Please hear my confession: I’m Woke. What some use as a condemnation is, for me, a proclamation of what healthy Christian faith is all about. I reveal my support for equal rights, sectarian respect, scientific research, and even—using banned words! Most Americans would join me in my confession. Let’s fight for it! Segments include: Equal Rights for All Equality for Women Respect for All Religions Support of Science Speaking Banned Words Newsletter subscription Support the ...
May 22, 2025•9 min•Ep. 91
Text me your thoughts! Listen as Raphael and Lexi discuss my essay "Resisting America's Hate Problem." The Source they refer to is the essay which is reprinted below. Their lively conversation brings out the main point: each of us should resist the temptation to fear people who are different as well as refusing the follow leaders who use hate to gain followers. We can break the hate by connecting to people who are different. “They’re eating dogs… eating cats… the people that came in are eating p...
May 15, 2025•12 min•Ep. 90
Text me your thoughts! This episode of TFJ brings a personal story I hope will promote your well-being. I’ve entitled it “Larry’s Leuko Logbook.” I’ll be sharing my experience with oral cancer. My experience has been part confusing, part frustrating, part frightening, and part amazing--and maybe all those at once. My hope is to share a story that will help you cope with troubles, get some crazy thoughts off my chest, and entertain a bit. Leukoplakia is my nemesis, a growth of painful cells that ...
Apr 17, 2025•12 min•Ep. 89
Text me your thoughts! “Scotty, beam us up!” Captain Kirk and the heroes of Star Trek called on the wizardry of 23rd century Transporting to move from one place to another. I recently experienced a mental/spiritual transport through the practice of Lectio Divina . The Latin phrase means, “divine reading.” Monks began the practice 1400 years ago to open their minds to God in a deeper way. Taking time to listen with the heart, rather than analyze with the mind, is central to the practice. In this ...
Mar 06, 2025•10 min•Ep. 86
Text me your thoughts! Everyone has some biases that distort our perception of the world. Some of these thought patterns cause us to stumble in relationships, work, or lifestyle. When we break those biases we can enjoy better living. In this episode Raphael and Liexi (from Google Notebook LM) explore common biases, connect with the disciples of Jesus on a wild night voyage, and offer some ways to change the biased thoughts that can hold us back from well-being. Newsletter subscription Support th...
Jan 31, 2025•15 min•Ep. 83
Text me your thoughts! Life brings some hard times that challenge our well-being. A hardy pine tree in Yellowstone Park offers lessons in resilience. The soil of our life will not be perfect. But we can keep growing with intentional care, community, and spirituality. Segments include: A tough tree in Yellowstone Park 0:09 Secrets of the Lodgepole Pine 1:25 Lessons for Resilience in hard times 2:20 Newsletter subscription Support the show Subscribe to this podcast for a monthly bonus episode, acc...
Jan 01, 2025•6 min•Ep. 79
Text me your thoughts! The holidays bring us many opportunities to mix with others. In our diverse society, the person you meet can be celebrating the season as a merry… happy… or whatever… holiday. Our words of greeting can make a difference when diverse opinions abound. What do we say to greet one another without starting a holiday riot? Good theology and love can build solidarity and well-being for everyone. Segments include: A holiday jumble 00:09 Jesus and his diverse world 1:37 American ho...
Dec 06, 2024•14 min•Ep. 78
Text me your thoughts! You have a choice and the time is now. One Presidential candidate stands tall above the other. Four excellent reasons guided my vote for Kamala Harris. She offers the best economic plans, rational thinking about the issues, personal integrity, and vital faith. America needs her leadership in this challenging time. Newsletter subscription Support the show Subscribe to this podcast for a monthly bonus episode, access to exclusive subscriber-only episodes, and the TRACKS EXPR...
Oct 29, 2024•10 min•Ep. 76
Text me your thoughts! “Why is God punishing me?” An answer to the age-old question affects our well-being in many ways. Modern psychology and progressive theology offer insights built on God’s love and human choices which inspire hope in the toughest times of life. Explore the teaching Jesus offered when the disciples struggled with the same question to develop greater resilience in your own journey. Segments include: Everyone knows the answer 1:00 Jesus said, “Not so fast” 2:10 A loving God do...
Aug 16, 2024•15 min•Ep. 75
Text me your thoughts! My understanding of prayer has changed towards a new dynamism and excitement. I've learned to collaborate rather than plead with God. Explore with me some new words that will make a difference in your spiritual devotion. Rather than tossing a hope in the wishing well of prayer for a far-away deity to act, we can join in a synergistic experience with a loving partner. Insights from Open and Relational Theism show the way for new words to enrich your experience. Segments inc...
Jul 16, 2024•12 min•Ep. 74
Text me your thoughts! Everyone wants happiness. But what if we are missing a key ingredient? Altruism is proven to bring well-being. So let’s be intentional! In this episode, I explore the evidence that giving to help others changes our body and mindset. Choosing these acts on a regular basis may be the ingredient that moves our happiness to a new level. Segments include: The hope of happiness Finding the missing ingredient of altruism Jesus points the way Choosing Intentional Altruism Newslett...
May 31, 2024•11 min•Ep. 72
Text me your thoughts! You are ready for a path to better well-being, and the Tracks for the Journey Podcast will provide great resources! This brief episode explains the benefits you receive listening. The twice-monthly episodes offers programming that will improve your well-being with practical insight and inspiration from progressive Christian spirituality, positive psychology, meaningful relationships, and justice ethics with Dr. Larry Payne. Newsletter subscription Support the show Subscrib...
May 14, 2024•5 min•Ep. 71
Text me your thoughts! Running the path beneath the giant Sequoias brought a depth to my faith experience. Could going Wild lead to a closer connection to God and the Planet? Explore with me a green path with the perspective of Panentheism, Jesus in the Wild, Ecopsychology, and the battle against plastic pollution. We can learn from Brian McLaren, Ilia Delio, and others a new language of faith discovery that is as old as the planet. Segments include: Discover a Wild Spirituality Panentheism and ...
Apr 19, 2024•12 min•Ep. 69
Text me your thoughts! Getting a good night’s sleep is important. But it’s not always easy. Sleep science offers a better tomorrow by improving what happens tonight. Let’s explore more about your well-being through good sleep habits. Looking at the example of Jesus, making a few minutes of pre-sleep preparation, and a tracking your nocturnal adventure can make all the difference! Segments include A casualty of sleepiness The challenges and benefits of good sleep A sleepy Savior Practices for imp...
Apr 05, 2024•14 min•Ep. 70
Text me your thoughts! Why was Jesus crying on the road to Jerusalem? That Easter story draws us close to the emotions of a God-filled man and to the life of faith today. We may well ask, would Jesus be crying over my city now? I invite you to explore what tears reveal, the emotions of God in relationship to us, and the crucial decisions for well-being we can make today. Segments include: Why do we cry? The tears of Jesus God’s connection with our pain A better way of life Why would Jesus cry to...
Mar 15, 2024•13 min•Ep. 67
Text me your thoughts! My teacher is red, round, and a billion years old. Without saying a word my teacher has taught important lessons about hope, purpose, and ecological connections. Yes, my teacher is a friendly, billion-year-old rock ready to share lessons for well-being that will enrich our journey of life. I have a small prayer garden at the Bright Star Farm in west Texas. The centerpiece is a soccer-ball size, red granite stone. I've often spent time reflecting on the silent story told by...
Feb 14, 2024•10 min•Ep. 65
Text me your thoughts! All of us care about having good physical health. We deal with illness, practice good habits, and watch our calories, right? When things go wrong, we can struggle with big questions about what we are doing and even God’s place in this quest. Can God make you healthy? The insights of Process Christian Theology can help us deal with the health issues we face today. God's essential attribute is Love, the non-coercive activity that seeks the well-being of the world. The love o...
Jan 17, 2024•12 min•Ep. 63
Text me your thoughts! The ticking seconds of the clock—could they be the signal God is moving across my life and yours? Jesus never heard that sound but knew so much about time. He demonstrated every moment brings the possibility of insight, miracle, renewal, or fulfillment. As the new year unfolds, let’s explore how we can unleash the Now-Moments for greater well-being. CITED Anthony Salvanto, “CBS News poll looks at where Americans find happiness.” https://www.cbsnews.com/news/americans-happi...
Jan 05, 2024•12 min•Ep. 62
Text me your thoughts! By December 26, the Christmas wrapping paper is thrown away and the last tidbit of fruitcake eaten. But what if our Christmas celebration could go on-and-on to build our well-being? When we explore beyond the tinsel and tidbits, we can discover God at work far beyond our imagination or the simple fact of a Jewish baby born in 4 BCE. Our lives and our world can be transformed by an endless Christmas! Segments include: The Incarnation Idea First Incarnation: Creation Second ...
Dec 01, 2023•14 min•Ep. 61
Text me your thoughts! Travel starts with a big question: Where am I going? We can expand the question to our life experience. Where am I going in this journey of life? Research shows well-being is enhanced by exploring the worlds outside of us and within us. Join me to discover ways of growth through explore places around us and inside us. We can travel for our well-being! Included: *"Where are you going?" is an ancient question *The sacred pilgrimage *Exploring the Self within *Traveling toget...
Nov 15, 2023•15 min•Ep. 60
Text me your thoughts! The climate is acting crazy but we don’t need to do the same! The climate crisis is not a future threat but upon us now. The effects of catastrophic events have become as destructive to emotional health as to the environment. In this episode I explore ecotheology that leads to tangible actions each of us can take as stewards of the Earth. Join me and Pope Francis as we seek a new climate comfort zone. Sections include: Our climate crisis Ecotheology for stewards of the Ear...
Sep 02, 2023•10 min•Ep. 56
Text me your thoughts! The Bible once failed America and it may happen today, threatening our well-being. In this episode I explore the error of "commonsense literalism" that contributed to the Civil War. There is a better way to interpret the Bible: as a Wisdom book which can speak to all cultures. Sections include: Two messages about slavery from the Bible The mistakes of "Commonsense Literalism" How the Bible actually works Interpretation as wisdom for each culture CITED Mark A. Noll. America...
Aug 24, 2023•11 min•Ep. 55
Text me your thoughts! All of us have seen the movie scene where the good guy is merciful and spares the criminal, right? But we may not realize that mercy can contribute to healthy living on a daily basis. In this Fast Track series episode Larry discusses what the Bible says about God acting in mercy. He highlights the quality is vital for our emotional health as well. It’s crazy how our well-being grows with Mercy received and given! Sections include: Do X, Get Y? Not with Mercy A Merciful God...
Aug 09, 2023•9 min•Ep. 54
Text me your thoughts! Transgendered youth and their parents have rights to determine their gender identity. But laws across America are trying to take away this fundamental freedom. Join me to understand the issues and the reasons this is bad for them, for you, and for the kingdom of God. Let’s affirm transgender rights in this episode of Tracks for the Journey. For more resources www.tracksforthejourney.com Sources include: Kayden Asher, “This is not how you fix things.” The Imprint Newsletter...
Jul 21, 2023•16 min•Ep. 53
Text me your thoughts! “My bad!” It’s lingo for something done wrong. Why do we make bad choices? Debates over human nature and our relationship to God stretch back to the dawn of human history. In this episode take a new look to uncover what people who do bad things can learn about themselves and the goodness of God. The traditional Christian doctrine of original sin misinterprets reality. We find help to build well-being with progressive spirituality and community. Segments include: The false ...
Mar 22, 2023•16 min
Text me your thoughts! Fear pops up everyday. How can we handle it well? Join me in exploring fear and what it means for our well-being. I draw from Scripture, psychology, and literature to help us cope and overcome it. We can learn from the Hero's Journey motif and Christian spirituality three key insights about dealing with this common experience. "The Lord is my light... of whom shall I be afraid?" 3:28 What is fear? 8:25 Discover new truths to counter fear 12:03 Wait and learn with a mentor ...
Mar 03, 2023•21 min•Ep. 48
Text me your thoughts! Confusion can spin our world and faith like a twirling top, can’t it? Who likes confusion, mystery, and uncertainty? Yet confusion might just be the doorway to something we need. Let’s explore the possibility that embracing our uncertainties can lead to greater well-being. Segments include: The invitation of uncertainty to great possibilities Reframe thoughts to find perspectives Create with God an open future Kristi Nelson, Wake Up Grateful: the transformational practice ...
Feb 12, 2023•19 min•Ep. 47
Text me your thoughts! We make many decisions every day. Some are life changing and need special consideration. Do we follow a star like the Wise Men of old? Progressive theology and modern psychology offer some answers. Enjoy this episode as we probe where we might find guidance for our important decisions. Click here to find out more about starting your own podcast! Let them know I sent you with this code: 848536 Newsletter subscription Support the show Subscribe to this podcast for a monthly ...
Dec 16, 2022•21 min
