Encountering Silence

Cassidy Hall, Kevin Johnson, Carl McColman•podcasts.bcast.fm

Explore the beauty, importance, and vitality of silence, as we explore the spirituality, psychology, and sheer humanity of silence. Subscribe to the podcast through Amazon, Google, or your favorite podcast subscription site. If you enjoy the podcast, please share us with your friends — and please support us through Patreon.

Last refreshed: July 26th, 2025 at 6:47 PM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Mary Margaret Funk, OSB: Silence Matters, Part Two (Episode 53)

The conclusion of our conversation with Sr. Mary Margaret Funk.

Feb 27, 2019•41 min

Mary Margaret Funk, OSB: Silence Matters, Part One (Episode 52)

Benedictine Sister (and interfaith activist) Mary Margaret Funk joins us from her convent in Indiana.

Feb 20, 2019•50 min

Shirley Hershey Showalter: Simplicity and Silence, Part Two (Episode 51)

Part two of our conversation with "Blush" author Shirley Hershey Showalter.

Feb 11, 2019•30 min

Shirley Hershey Showalter: Simplicity and Silence, Part One (Episode 50)

Shirley Hershey Showalter invites us into the silence of a traditional Mennonite upbringing.

Feb 06, 2019•32 min

Celebrating Mary Oliver (Episode 49)

"Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?" asks Mary Oliver, who recently died at the age of 83.

Jan 27, 2019•41 min

Andō: Silence in the Forest, Part Two (Episode 48)

The conclusion of our richly contemplative conversation with zen poet Andō.

Jan 23, 2019•36 min

Andō: Silence in the Forest, Part 1 (Episode 47)

Andō — lay monastic, zen poet, and contemplative — joins us for a conversation rich with silence.

Jan 14, 2019•45 min

Richard Rohr in Conversation with Cassidy Hall (Episode 46)

Richard Rohr sat down with Cassidy Hall in Chicago last month to record this informal conversation.

Jan 07, 2019•31 min

Auld Lang Silence (Episode 45)

Our final episode of 2018, a time to reflect on our conversation about silence thus far.

Dec 31, 2018•35 min

Br. Paul Quenon, OCSO: Silence in Chicago (Episode 44)

Trappist monk and poet Br. Paul Quenon, OCSO returns to Encountering Silence.

Dec 20, 2018•49 min

Jacqueline Bussie: Silence and Love without Limits (Episode 43)

Dr. Jacqueline Bussie is the author of Love Without Limits: Jesus' Radical Vision for Love with No Exceptions.

Dec 14, 2018•47 min

Rebecca Bratten Weiss: Silence, Feminism, and Literature (Episode 42)

Kevin and Cassidy speak with Rebecca Bratten Weiss at the Terra Incognita conference.

Dec 06, 2018•49 min

David Cole: Celtic Mysticism and Silence (Episode 41)

David Cole embraces silence from within the heart of Celtic spirituality.

Nov 28, 2018•44 min

Christine Valters Paintner: Silence, Art, and Contemplation (Episode 40)

Christine Valters Paintner explores silence, contemplation, creativity, and living as a monk in the real world.

Nov 13, 2018•44 min

Judith Valente: Silence, St. Benedict, and Writing (Episode 39)

A conversation with poet, journalist and Benedictine Oblate Judith Valente.

Nov 06, 2018•49 min

Helen Lees: Silence, Politics, and Education (Episode 38)

British writer and educator Dr. Helen E. Lees explores topics such as education, silence and art.

Oct 30, 2018•43 min

Allison M. Sullivan: Silence, Yoga, and Faith (Episode 37)

Allison M. Sullivan, author of "Rock Paper Scissors" explores the intersection of silence and faith with us.

Oct 23, 2018•48 min

Kathleen Norris, Part Two: Silence, Poetry, and Acedia (Episode 36)

In this episode we conclude our interview with poet and essayist Kathleen Norris.

Oct 15, 2018•34 min

Kathleen Norris, Part One: Silence, Poetry, and Acedia (Episode 35)

Cassidy Hall speaks with self-described "evangelist for poetry," Kathleen Norris .

Oct 09, 2018•34 min

Parker J. Palmer, Part 2: On the Brink of Silence (Episode 34)

The conclusion of our conversation with noted author and activist Parker J. Palmer.

Oct 01, 2018•39 min

Parker J. Palmer, Part 1: On the Brink of Silence (Episode 33)

Parker J. Palmer's lifetime of wisdom concerning silence and aging (part one of a two-part interview).

Sep 24, 2018•43 min

Paul Quenon, OCSO: Silence and Poetry at Gethsemani Abbey (Episode 32)

Cassidy Hall speaks with Trappist poet, photographer, and memoirist Br. Paul Quenon, OCSO.

Sep 20, 2018•58 min

Silence in the Summertime (Episode 31)

Summer brings its own challenges and opportunities to bear on the human need for silence.

Aug 20, 2018•37 min

Leah Weiss: Silence at Work (Episode 30)

Stanford University professor Leah Weiss speaks about mindfulness in the workplace.

Aug 06, 2018•40 min

James Finley: Silence and Vulnerability (Episode 29)

Cassidy Hall interviews author, retreat leader, and psychologist James Finley.

Jul 23, 2018•1 hr

Paula Pryce: Silence, Bodily Knowing and Ritual (Episode 28)

Anthropologist Paula Pryce describes her ethnographic research into the Christian contemplative community.

Jul 09, 2018•54 min

Kenneth S. Leong: Silence, Christianity and Zen (Episode 27)

Kenneth Leong, reflects on how silence takes us beyond the limitations of doctrine, dogma, or religious culture.

Jun 25, 2018•44 min

Barbara A. Holmes: Silence as Unspeakable Joy (Episode 26)

A Conversation with Barbara A. Holmes, author of "Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church."

Jun 14, 2018•50 min

Six Months of Encountering Silence! (Episode 25)

After six months, Cassidy, Kevin and Carl reflect on the lessons and insight this podcast has provided.

Jun 06, 2018•24 min

Mirabai Starr: Silence, Stillness, Passion, and Embodiment (Episode 24)

Mirabai Starr muses on the profound relationship between silence, stillness and mystical love.

May 30, 2018•37 min

← Prev Next →

Hosted on Spotify for Creators (Anchor)

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android