What happens when your questions about faith lead you into the world of YouTube? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Reverend Matt Patrick—Oklahoma pastor, theologian, and creator of the Connexionalist YouTube channel—as we explore how digital spaces are reshaping spiritual discovery. Matt shares his journey from campus ministry to online community-building, revealing how deep theological conversations and honest dialogue on platforms like YouTube are becoming vital spaces for seekers, ...
Jul 24, 2025•Ep. 161
In a world that feels overwhelming, hope isn’t just a feel-good idea—it’s vital for resilience and growth. This episode of Compass helps cultivate a mud-on-the-boots kind of hope, even when it feels like too much. Real hope isn’t about ignoring pain—it’s about facing it and choosing to believe in something better anyway. Hope is spiritual defiance, a radical way to keep showing up for ourselves and each other, even when the world feels heavy.
Jul 09, 2025•Ep. 160
NOTE: New episodes of Compass will resume July 9, 2025. Feeling overwhelmed by digital noise and daily stress? In this mini-episode of Compass: Finding Spirituality in the Everyday , host Ryan Dunn introduces the Ignatian Examen—a centuries-old contemplative prayer practice that helps bring clarity, gratitude, and peace to modern life. Discover how this simple daily ritual can reconnect you with God’s presence in the here and now.
Jun 11, 2025
Join Bishop C. Andrew Doyle—Episcopal Bishop, author, and passionate vinyl record collector—and explore the sacred within the ordinary and the power of embodied spiritual practice. Bishop Doyle opens up about his latest book, “Unabashed Faith: Resisting Spiritual Forces in the Modern World,” and shares practical wisdom on carving out sacred spaces, reclaiming rest in a hyper-connected world and finding spirituality beyond institutional boundaries. Together, Ryan Dunn and Bishop Doyle discuss wha...
May 28, 2025•Ep. 158
How do we find spiritual belonging and healing in a world filled with loneliness, uncertainty, and division? In this special episode of Compass: Finding Spirituality in the Everyday, host Ryan Dunn is joined by Dori Grinenko Baker and Anna Del Castillo for a heartfelt conversation about tapping into the “deep wells” of soulful practice, community connection, and personal ritual. Explore practical and inspiring ways to nurture your spirit—whether through grounding in nature, joyful body movement,...
May 14, 2025•Ep. 157
Navigating spiritual growth through the Enneagram with Hunter Mobley on Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday. Hunter shares his personal journey from evangelical “five-step spirituality” to a deeper, more contemplative faith that sees spiritual practices as pathways to soul transformation. Discover how the Enneagram can help unearth your truest self, why letting go is key to spiritual growth, and how simplicity makes space for the surprise of the Spirit to show up in unexpected ways. Li...
Apr 30, 2025•Ep. 156
Let’s explore the fascinating and often complex world of Christian eschatology, unraveling the various interpretations of end times theology. In this episode, Ryan leads us through the evolution of eschatological beliefs—from historical premillennialism to amillennialism, postmillennialism, and premillennial dispensationalism.
Apr 16, 2025•Ep. 155
It’s a Biblical exploration of the strange, fantastical and mysterious. From Leviathan to unicorns to UAPs, we’re inspiring curiosity and awe as we see what these strange occurrences and observations in the Bible tell us about the Divine. In this episode: [00:00] Introducing a little levity [02:01] God-human hybrids [05:18] Sea monster [07:11] The talking donkey [09:25] Horned beasts [10:13] Giants [11:39] Insanely old people [14:08] Horned Moses [15:59] Four-legged fowl [17:14] Moses’ body [18:...
Apr 02, 2025•Ep. 154
Lent’s more than a diet; it’s a spiritual journey. Joseph Yoo shares how fasting reveals our hunger and dependence on God. Dive into silence and prayer, and discover what your Lenten practice has to teach you. Hungry for more Compass? Check out www.umc.org/compass for notes and more episodes.
Mar 19, 2025•Ep. 153
In this episode, we unpack the importance of embracing human complexity and the practice of truth-telling in spirituality. From Lauryn Hill to Kendrick Lamar, see how a cultural mixtape can guide one’s spiritual journey. Don’t miss insights on how spiritual seekers can curate a personalized connection to the divine through grounded traditions and ethical practices. Our guest is Tamice Spencer-Helms, a theologian, public speaker, curriculum developer, and consultant With over two decades of exper...
Mar 05, 2025•35 min
Reverend Corey Turnpenny invites us on an awe-inspiring exploration of spirituality harmonized with the beauty of the natural world. Learn about the innovative faith community, Church in the Wild, where worship occurs beneath open skies, embracing the rhythms of nature and fostering a sense of belonging for those who feel spiritually homeless. Corey Turnpenny is the founding pastor of Church in the Wild, a unique nature-focused congregation in Upstate New York. Her journey from the UMC Next conf...
Feb 19, 2025•39 min•Ep. 151
Transforming Life and Faith: Ben Gosden on Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday. Join us for an inspiring discussion with Ben Gosden as he shares his transformative journey through addiction, recovery, and the ever-present grace that guided him back to spiritual alignment. Explore Ben’s insights on how the tenets of recovery not only shape one’s faith journey but influence daily habits and mindfulness. Ben Gosden, a pastor and author of “Grace Rediscovered,” has over fifteen years of pa...
Feb 05, 2025•33 min•Ep. 150
Discovering Faith Through Questions with Erin Moon on Compass: Finding Spirituality in the Everyday. Join host Ryan Dunn in a conversation with Erin Hicks Moon, a dynamic podcaster and author of the upcoming book “I’ve Got Questions.” Together, they investigate the powerful role of curiosity in deepening one’s faith and navigating skepticism. Explore themes like the value of humor when tackling serious faith topics, the importance of diverse theological voices, and Erin’s journey through evangel...
Jan 22, 2025•30 min•Ep. 149
Let’s get dirty and honest about our often voyeuristic relationship with the divine — and how prayer can profoundly disrupt and enrich our everyday lives. Explore the curious phenomena of spiritual fascination from a safe distance and the transformative power of genuine engagement with the divine through prayer. Rev. Ryan Dunn uses relatable analogies, like our fascination with Shark Week, to elucidate our modern spiritual postures. We look into the biblical narrative of Exodus 20 to showcase ho...
Jan 08, 2025•13 min•Ep. 148
Matthew Ian Fleming on Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday. Matthew dives deep into the enigmatic Book of Revelation, shedding light on its broader message of hope, justice, and new creation, far from its often misinterpreted doom and gloom reputation. Learn about his unique approach to understanding Revelation, anchored by Psalm 139, and its relevance in contemporary society. Matthew Ian Fleming, author of “The End is the Beginning: Revelation, Hope, and the Love that Lit the Stars,” ...
Dec 11, 2024•37 min•Ep. 147
Join us on this special episode of Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday as we celebrate Rethink Church’s impactful journey by revisiting some of their most beloved stories from 2024. Dive into the heart of community, mindfulness, and spiritual practices, all while exploring how innovative faith expressions can redefine modern spirituality. In this episode, you will hear: Key topics include mindfulness, community building through games, welcoming church practices, and innovative ministry...
Nov 27, 2024•37 min•Ep. 146
Edith and Randy Woodley invite us to rediscover our connection with nature, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of community-based ecological practices. Uncover their approach to land stewardship, communal living, and the rejection of individualism for a more holistic and balanced way of living. Edith and Randy Woodley are passionate environmentalists and spiritual seekers managing the Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice. They’ve dedicated their lives to prom...
Nov 13, 2024•41 min•Ep. 145
We’re working through our fear and fostering a bit of empathy in this conversation with Rev. Dr. Paul Burns on Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday. Join us as Paul Burns dives deep into the core of human spirituality and relationships, addressing the instinctual divisions between people and how finding common ground can create bridges of empathy. Discover the intricacies of “soul metrics” and how spiritual intelligence can transform your life without compromising your beliefs. Paul Bur...
Oct 30, 2024•30 min•Ep. 144
It’s an exploration of the mysterious, spooky, awe-inspiring realm of Halloween. This episode looks at Halloween questions through scripture, tradition, reason, and experience—the Wesleyan quadrilateral—to uncover multifaceted answers. We’ll ponder biblical stories, explore John Wesley’s haunted childhood home, and consider contemporary beliefs about life after death. Moreover, we’ll reflect on the role of fear and how it fits into a spiritual life, examining not just the supernatural but the ev...
Oct 16, 2024•17 min•Ep. 143
We’re unleashing the power of “Rage Prayers” with Reverend Elizabeth Riley. Dive into the transformative practice of honest, heartfelt prayers that express our deepest emotions and frustrations. Explore how embracing our anger and lament can lead to spiritual healing and personal transformation. Rev. Elizabeth is an Episcopal priest currently serving in the Diocese of Olympia, which covers the Western portion of Washington state. You can find her on TikTok at @TheRevRiley. And her book, Rage Pra...
Oct 02, 2024•31 min•Ep. 142
We’re exploring the innovative ways churches in Northern Virginia are blending spirituality and community outreach–from improv church to affordable housing. In this episode of Compass, we’re visiting four unique and innovative expressions of church in Northern Virginia and Maryland. See how Central United Methodist Church in the Ballston neighborhood renovated their old church building in order to meet the changing needs of their neighborhood and give life to new ministries. Visit a pop-up cafe ...
Sep 18, 2024•32 min•Ep. 141
We’re borrowing an important interview from the MyCom Podcast. Host Ryan Dunn talked with Rev. J.J. Warren about what defines a church and how J.J. is putting the definition into practice through the Church of the Young Prophets. Drawing from his theological background and experiences with the Young Prophets Collective , J.J. discusses the evolution of virtual worship spaces, the significance of platforms like Discord and Instagram, and the challenges of maintaining boundaries in digital ministr...
Sep 04, 2024•45 min•Ep. 140
Neelley Hicks shares her experience that landed her picture in papers across the globe, stemming from a recent Unity Rally in Nashville, Tennessee. It was attended by a diverse and vibrant community and disrupted by the alarming presence of Neo-Nazis. This episode looks into the complex emotions and motivations behind such extremist actions and explores how we can rise above hate with love and unity. In this episode: (00:00) Nashville unity rally against Neo-Nazi hate. (06:22) Discussion about i...
Aug 21, 2024•32 min•Ep. 139
We’re tackling the topic of living out our faith in a complex and often polarized world. Recently, the outrage sparked by the opening ceremonies of the Paris 2024 Olympics, particularly a controversial scene perceived to mock Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” has ignited debates and outraged responses. We’ll explore how to express our faith authentically without adding to the division, drawing on examples from the teachings of Jesus, the early Christian community, and even a unique punk roc...
Aug 07, 2024•23 min•Ep. 138
Summarizing Faith and Theology with Bruce Reyes-Chow on Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday. Bruce shares the importance of distilling and articulating beliefs in simple, digestible formats. Discover his innovative concept of a “faith montage” and how it serves as a primer on progressive Christianity to guide individuals through faith deconstruction and reconstruction. Bruce Reyes-Chow is an influential author, speaker, parent, consultant, coach, podcaster, and pastor. His latest book,...
Jul 25, 2024•Ep. 137
Pastor David Livingston discusses the concept of abundant life and how it can be experienced in the present. He emphasizes that abundant life is not solely about material well-being or a perfect life, but rather about finding spiritual and emotional well-being in the midst of life’s challenges. Pastor Livingston shares his personal experience with anxiety and how he has found peace and permission to be anxious through reframing the language of Jesus’ command to not be anxious. He also discusses ...
Jul 10, 2024•Ep. 136
Unpacking the mysteries of hell and love with Derek Kubilus on Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday. Derek takes us on a thought-provoking journey through the complex relationship between a God of love and the concept of eternal torment. Explore his ideas on purgatorial universalism, the evolution of hell in Christian theology, and how these beliefs shape our spiritual lives. Derek has written a compelling book called “Holy Hell: A Case Against Eternal Damnation”. It is aimed at those t...
Jun 26, 2024•Ep. 135
Rediscover centering and spirituality with Andrew Lang on “Compass: Finding Spirituality in the Everyday.” Andrew Lang, a guiding voice in spiritual practices, shares transformative insights on integrating centering practices into daily life, overcoming the “dark night of the soul,” and finding creative ways to connect with our spirituality. Listen in as Lang explains how centering practice can reshape our responses to life’s challenges and help build personalized spiritual rhythms. Whether grap...
Jun 12, 2024•Ep. 134
Curious about maintaining compassion and engaging in meaningful conversations in your daily life? On Compass 133, join Ryan Dunn as he speaks with John Pavlovitz about finding common ground and exploring spirituality amidst life’s challenges. Discover how to navigate differences with empathy, find solace in nature, and embrace your faith journey authentically. John shares his personal journey from questioning his Christian identity to embracing a compassionate approach that transcends religious ...
May 29, 2024•Ep. 133
We’re exploring a pivotal moment in the life of the United Methodist Church—the historic 2024 General Conference held in Charlotte, North Carolina. This conference marked a significant turning point, as 93% of the delegates voted to lift long-standing bans on the ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy and the hosting of same-sex weddings by clergy and churches. Our episode will explore the profound impact of these changes, featuring reactions from a spectrum of church leaders and participants, including th...
May 15, 2024•Ep. 132
