For this bonus episode, Rachael and Elizabeth are joined by the very talented artist and designer Mark Ruffin, who started the movement, Black Dolls Matter, which has grown from a social media campaign to a retailer of dolls, doll clothing, and accessories. He talks to Rachael and Elizabeth about how Black Dolls Matter came to be, the magic of having a doll that looks like you, how we can all support Black Dolls Matter, and the other creative endeavors that Mark has been a part of. Like what you...
Nov 27, 2020•41 min
Kay Bruner is here and we're talking about her family motto: "whatever happens, we'll get through it together", how to make this holiday season meaningful regardless of how "unprecedented" this season will be, and the importance of boundaries. Follow Everyday Thin Places on Insta: www.instagram.com/everydaythinplaces! We want to see you there! Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying us a cup of coffee! www.ko-fi.com/everydaythinplaces Visit our website a...
Nov 23, 2020•44 min•Ep. 26
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso discuss the enneagram with enneagram coach, Erin Sur. We discuss everything from how Erin uses the enneagram to coach her clients to which Friends characters fit into which enneagram type, and Elizabeth shares her image of each of the enneagram types as spots on a dance floor. Let's dance! Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying us a cup of coffee! www.ko-fi.com/everydaythinplaces Visit our website at www.everydayth...
Nov 16, 2020•49 min•Ep. 25
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso discuss a profound weekend that they both experienced a few weeks ago. Within a few hours, Elizabeth helped a family to welcome their rainbow baby into the world and Rachael said her final goodbye to her grandmother, a holocaust survivor. Rachael reminisces about her Gran, Rene Koenigsberg Hammond and Elizabeth opens up about the precious experience of helping to bring new life into the world. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say th...
Nov 09, 2020•59 min•Ep. 24
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso are joined by Conrad Benner, who is a blogger, a podcaster, an organizer, a curator, and a photographer. They discuss "Mailbox Voters", a project created to educate voters on all the ways to vote, "To The Polls 2020", a display of temporary murals in Love Park using public art to encourage people to vote, and how Conrad balances non-partisan views with his own personal passion for politics, before diving in more deeply about using art as a form of resistanc...
Nov 02, 2020•44 min•Ep. 23
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso are joined by Isaac Saul, a journalist and the founder of Tangle, an independent, ad-free, non-partisan, politics newsletter that offers both sides of the biggest news stories every day. He'll walk us through how Tangle came to be, what Isaac thinks of our shared state of Pennsylvania, and what his daily work looks like. This is a must listen (especially in this week leading up to the 2020 general election)! To find out more about Tangle and to subscribe vi...
Oct 30, 2020•55 min
Horror film scholar and expert, Jennifer Moorman is here for the episode we thought would be perfect for this week leading up to Halloween. Jen shares about how she developed a love for horror films, how monsters in horror films can help "outsiders" to feel empowered, and the power of the unknown that horror filmmakers tap into in order to scare us. We also discuss how death and birth are often explored in horror films and how these films can actually be comforting and even a thin place when we ...
Oct 26, 2020•37 min•Ep. 22
Author, speaker, and podcaster Rob Bell joins us to talk about his new book, "Everything is Spiritual", the power of well-asked questions, and what is giving him hope right now. We begin by talking about the power of a good ending. Then we talk about everything from asking good questions, to the unexpected twists and turns of life, to human reproduction, and so much more. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying us a cup of coffee! www.ko-fi.com/everydayt...
Oct 19, 2020•57 min•Ep. 21
Halley Kim joins us to talk about her service, "Birthing Your Stories", which is a service to help mothers to put their birth stories and stories of new beginnings into words. While many of us have struggled to put our stories onto paper, Halley shares about the importance of telling our stories and provides a way for us to get them out in the open. We also reflect on the importance of holding space and sharing stories of deep pain, like pregnancy and infant loss. Like what you hear and want to ...
Oct 12, 2020•45 min•Ep. 20
One of the most frequent topics we think about as a birth doula and a hospice chaplain is the topic of the cycle of life, death, and new life. We hope this week's episode about the element of earth with Christa Barfield helps you to understand the heart, intention, and inspiration behind Farmer Jawn Greenhouses, and to have a deeper connection to what the earth teaches us about the life, death, and new life cycle. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying ...
Oct 05, 2020•36 min•Ep. 19
It's Fall! 'Tis the season for crisp air, bright leaves, pumpkins and ... surfing? Apparently it is, so we're talking about surfing with Jeremy Avellino in this bonus episode during water week of our 4 Elements Series. But we won't just be talking about surfing and how it can be a mystical and transformative thin place. We also talk about Jeremy's work as an architect, and take a wandering path that leads us through lots more provocative, challenging and inspiring topics. Like what you hear and ...
Oct 03, 2020•1 hr 3 min
In 2014, Keri McGinn opened Halcyon Floats in Philadelphia. It was the first flotation therapy location in Philadelphia, but it quickly gained popularity in the Philadelphia area. Keri joins us to talk about water and how floating can help with stress management, letting go, and even meditating to help us experience thin places. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying us a cup of coffee! www.ko-fi.com/everydaythinplaces Visit our website at www.everydayt...
Sep 28, 2020•49 min•Ep. 18
Ilyssa and Dave Kyu, authors of Campfire Stories: Tales From America's National Parks are here! Ilyssa and Dave recount their time spent traveling around the US National Parks and reveal how campfires facilitate community, preserve history, and celebrate our shared heritage. Plus, Rachael and Elizabeth share some personal stories of the power of campfires in their own lives. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying us a cup of coffee! www.ko-fi.com/everyd...
Sep 21, 2020•41 min•Ep. 17
Rachael and Elizabeth welcome Amy Wright Glenn to the show! Amy is the founder of the Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death and the author of Birth, Breath, and Death: Meditations on Motherhood, Chaplaincy, and Life as a Doula and Holding Space: On Loving, Dying, and Letting Go. Amy talks about how air and breath help her to hold space and be present for others in birth, in death, and in life. Amy, Rachael, and Elizabeth also discuss how our own breath is the best teacher on being ...
Sep 14, 2020•38 min•Ep. 16
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso talk about what to expect in their upcoming series about the 4 elements. Rachael and Elizabeth open up about their experiences with each of the 4 elements as they relate to birth and death. Plus, you'll get a brief primer of each of the 4 elements. Don't forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying us a cup of coffee! www.ko-fi.com/everydaythinplaces Visit our we...
Sep 07, 2020•45 min•Ep. 15
In part two of our interview with Pastor Noah Hepler, Noah shares with Rachael and Elizabeth how he felt about his experiences on Netflix's hit show, Queer Eye. And Noah gives us his HONEST reaction to Bobby Berk's interview with Philly Voice! Noah shares about vulnerability as a thin place. Plus, Elizabeth reveals a private moment from watching Queer Eye with her oldest daughter and how Noah's episode affected her family. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you b...
Aug 31, 2020•37 min•Ep. 14
Pastor Noah Hepler joins us to talk about his experiences on the popular Netflix show, "Queer Eye", which was released earlier this summer. He shares about his emotions not only during filming, but also how being on the show has affected his life since then. For the first 15 minutes of the interview, we talk about Noah's work as a Lutheran pastor. The last 30 minutes, we discuss "Queer Eye", and you'll want to make sure to come back for more next week! Like what you hear and want to help support...
Aug 24, 2020•47 min•Ep. 13
We're excited to share with you an episode featuring Melody Boyd, world traveler. Melody traveled around the world in 2019 and joins us to talk about experiencing thin places on four continents, obstacles she faced along the way, and what she learned about herself and the world along the way. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying us a cup of coffee! www.ko-fi.com/everydaythinplaces Visit our website at www.everydaythinplaces.com...
Aug 17, 2020•40 min•Ep. 12
To consider fear and pain, we also had to think about ritual. We hope this week's episode opens up conversations to help us to learn about helpful rituals that we can practice throughout all of life. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying us a cup of coffee! www.ko-fi.com/everydaythinplaces Visit our website at www.everydaythinplaces.com...
Aug 10, 2020•37 min•Ep. 11
We've had pain on our minds. After last week's episode about fear, we decided to release a three-episode series on fear, pain, and ritual. We hope this week's episode helps shine a light on the different types of pain that we ourselves have experienced and witnessed. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying us a cup of coffee! www.ko-fi.com/everydaythinplaces Visit our website at www.everydaythinplaces.com...
Aug 03, 2020•39 min•Ep. 10
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso dive into the topic of fear, its role and purpose in our lives, and how we can work with our fear in helpful ways. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying us a cup of coffee! www.ko-fi.com/everydaythinplaces Visit our website at www.everydaythinplaces.com...
Jul 27, 2020•38 min•Ep. 9
Rachael and Elizabeth share about their experiences with Facebook - when it most definitely has NOT been a thin place, but when it absolutely has. You'll hear from others who have found what it takes to create a sense of safe and authentic community on Facebook, and learn about how to participate in such an online community with other Everyday Thin Places listeners. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying us a cup of coffee! www.ko-fi.com/everydaythinpla...
Jul 20, 2020•33 min•Ep. 8
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso are joined by Heidi Lengel to discuss her role as a Music Therapist specializing in maternal mental health during the perinatal period. You can expect authentic, powerful, and magical moments in this very special interview. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying us a cup of coffee! www.ko-fi.com/everydaythinplaces Visit our website at www.everydaythinplaces.com...
Jul 13, 2020•46 min•Ep. 7
Rachael and Elizabeth are joined by poet, Andrea Hope to share herself as a poet, as a mother, and as a Baha'i. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying us a cup of coffee! www.ko-fi.com/everydaythinplaces Visit our website at www.everydaythinplaces.com Visit Andrea's website at www.andreahope.org...
Jul 06, 2020•51 min•Ep. 6
Rachael and Elizabeth are joined by “dancing doula”, Elizabeth Weinstein to chat about how she has learned to see everyday thin places, how she became a dancing doula, and how anyone can take steps to embrace movement as a thin place. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying us a cup of coffee! www.ko-fi.com/everydaythinplaces Visit our website at www.everydaythinplaces.com...
Jun 29, 2020•38 min•Ep. 5
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso interview art therapist, Dana Rummery about her work with hospice patients and their loved ones. Dana explains why and how art can be a “thin place” for all of us. They then discuss some simple ways that anyone can engage in art for self care. Finally they discuss how listeners can find out more about art therapy and support some causes that are important to Dana. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying us a cup of ...
Jun 22, 2020•34 min•Ep. 4
Because Black Lives Matter, Rachael and Elizabeth want to pause at this moment in history to explicitly share about how Black Birth and Black Death in particular matter.
Jun 22, 2020•32 min
Rachael interviews Elizabeth about her work as a birth doula and a childbirth educator. Elizabeth shares her personal thoughts about how birth is a “thin place” and we find out what the difference is between a doula and a midwife. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying us a cup of coffee! www.ko-fi.com/everydaythinplaces Visit our website at www.everydaythinplaces.com...
Jun 17, 2020•40 min•Ep. 3
Rachael is interviewed by Elizabeth to address her work as an interfaith hospice chaplain and how this work is a “thin place”. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying us a cup of coffee! www.ko-fi.com/everydaythinplaces Visit our website at www.everydaythinplaces.com
Jun 16, 2020•37 min•Ep. 2
Interfaith hospice chaplain, Rachael Gallagher and birth doula, Elizabeth Varaso introduce the concept of “thin places”, addressing some misconceptions and exploring what thin places mean to them. Drawing from their experiences supporting birthing people and dying people, Rachael and Elizabeth explore with honesty, authenticity and humor how we can all become more truly-living people. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you by buying us a cup of coffee! www.ko-fi...
Jun 15, 2020•22 min•Ep. 1
