Life Coach, Melissa Jill Clark joins us on the Everyday Thin Places podcast to talk about having all we need within us now, yoga as embodied prayer, and Melissa's poem that was recently published in book form: Your Chrysalis: A Message of Hope for End of Life . We really talk about everything. Yoga? Yes. Fulfilling our legacies? Obviously. Birth and death? Of course. Everyday Thin Places is powered by listeners like you! To keep all our Everyday Thin Places content ad-free, consider buying us a ...
Jan 31, 2022•33 min•Ep. 73
Today on the podcast, hosts Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso talk with Philadelphia-area-based pastor and author, Matt Gorkos. Matt has built Storied Church Ministry Consulting , focused on cultivating connections through stories. One of his latest efforts: The Storied Church: A Strategy for Congregational Renewal explores the power of a good story and how harnessing that power can be impactful in the church and beyond. Matt mentions a children’s book series written by Kobi Yamada with bea...
Jan 17, 2022•41 min•Ep. 72
Today on the podcast we go down memory lane - 2021 has been another doozy. We reflect on our hopefulness and cautious optimism last year at this time. Rachael reflects on the struggles that existed in 2021 as well as her ideas of how life would be once vaccines became available, and then Elizabeth shares her resolution that she made last year and that she's carrying into 2022. Thanks for listening! To reach us, you can email the podcast at everydaythinplaces@gmail.com Follow the podcast on Insta...
Jan 03, 2022•22 min•Ep. 71
In this special mini episode, Elizabeth interviews Rachael about the last six months of living back in her home state of Florida! Rachael talks about her latest projects and how this new lifestyle has become a thin place for her. Thanks for listening! Contribute to the show at https://ko-fi.com/everydaythinplaces . Email us at everydaythinplaces@gmail.com.
Dec 27, 2021•25 min•Ep. 70
On this week's episode, Elizabeth Varaso shares about her latest thin place endeavor. Featuring: How she went from being the proud owner of 25 fragrance oils to owning 122 fragrance oils. Why she receives 55 pound bags of salt delivered to her home regularly. How Sharon Weiss fits into all of this. Everyday Thin Places is powered by subscribers like you! To keep all of our Everyday Thin Places content free and ad-free, consider buying us a cup of coffee to keep us going. Follow along with Everyd...
Dec 20, 2021•22 min•Ep. 69
Rachael and Elizabeth celebrate miniature things. Elizabeth shares about her household's delight in the thin places of miniature things and Rachael talks (again) about her love of small dogs. Then, we talk about the power of miniature things working their ways into places that larger things cannot: little things can have huge impacts. You can email the podcast at everydaythinplaces@gmail.com. Follow the podcast on Instagram ....
Dec 13, 2021•16 min•Ep. 68
Just in time, it's the last night of Hanukkah and so we are replaying this episode from last year. In this episode, Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso are joined by Dr. Liam Robins to discuss Hanukkah, embracing Judaism as an adult, the "thin place" experience of lighting the Hanukkah candles, and more. Buy us a cup of coffee: https://ko-fi.com/everydaythinplaces
Dec 06, 2021•45 min
This week Rachael and Elizabeth are hosting a conversation with David Richman, author of the book Cycle of Lives: 15 People's stories, 5,000 miles and a Journey through the Emotional Chaos of Cancer. After losing his sister June to cancer, David was inspired to push the limits of what his body was capable of, and to engage his heart and mind with the emotional journey of those who have been diagnosed with cancer, their loved ones and the medical professionals who treat them. You can find out mor...
Nov 29, 2021•47 min•Ep. 67
Rachael and Elizabeth give thanks for each other, for this podcast, and for our listeners. Plus, we take some time to share how you can help to support the podcast. Everyday Thin PLaces is powered by subscribers like you! To keep all our Everyday Thin Places content ad-free, consider making a donation by buying us a cup of coffee! To support the podcast financially, visit https://ko-fi.com/everydaythinplaces To get in touch with us, you can email the podcast at everydaythinplaces@gmail.com Visit...
Nov 22, 2021•7 min
This week, we bring you a conversation about generosity as a thin place. More than anything, this episode felt like a really fun, yet super meaningful time of reflection. Featuring: different motivations for generosity the spiritual practice of generosity barriers to generosity Elizabeth's research into the origins of the word generosity a challenge to practice generosity this week Check back to see the still TBD "Brenda's Choice" cause to support. Also, please, please! Follow Everyday Thin Plac...
Nov 15, 2021•44 min•Ep. 66
In celebration of the 65th episode of our podcast, this episode is all about nostalgia ( New Kids on the Block , I Love Lucy, Goosebumps , etc.)! We are honored to take you on a nostalgic journey! To reach us, email everydaythinplaces@gmail.com. Visit https://www.everydaythinplaces.com/ Follow the podcast on Instagram ( @everydaythinplaces )....
Nov 08, 2021•40 min•Ep. 65
Rachel & Elizabeth have referenced this conversation so many times recently that it seemed worthy of a replay! Even with Halloween just having passed, you may still be in the mood for a good horror film, and the insights that film scholar and expert Jennifer Moorman has to offer will have you experiencing, yes, even horror films, as a thin place. 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 t...
Nov 01, 2021•37 min•Ep. 64
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso discuss activism and theology as a thin place with Dr. Drew Hart. Drew is a writer and a speaker on topics of justice black theology, Anabaptism, and white supremacy and he follows in a long line of theologists who have done theology on the fly in the midst of struggling with justice and liberation. You’ll want to check out Drew’s books: Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism and Who Will Be A Witness? Igniting Activism for God’s Justic...
Oct 25, 2021•42 min•Ep. 63
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso check in with honesty, authenticity, and humor about curiosity as a thin place. We begin by talking about Elizabeth's far-fetched husband and his skeptical nature versus Elizabeth's curious nature. After talking through all the possible ways to view the world, Rachael and Elizabeth land on a good healthy way to go through life. Everyday Thin Places is powered by subscribers like you! To keep all of our Everyday Thin Places content free and accessible to all...
Oct 18, 2021•34 min•Ep. 62
It's our first repeat guest! This time last year Halley Kim joined us to talk about the importance of Birth Stories. At the time, she had a secret that only a handful of people in her life knew about. But today, Halley is sharing freely about what she once believed, what she believes now, and how we can compassionately usher people towards changing their minds. You can find Halley on Instagram as @halley.kim_ and Facebook as Halley_Kim One day she may even return to writing on her blog that you ...
Oct 11, 2021•57 min•Ep. 61
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso discuss what pets have to teach us about birth and death, and truly living. Understanding our personal relationships with pets is an important part of understanding ourselves. We support our life's journey when we embrace caregiving, whether it be another person or an animal. You can email the podcast at everydaythinplaces@gmail.com. Visit everydaythinplaces.com . Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook . Contribute to the show at https://ko-fi.com/eve...
Oct 04, 2021•41 min•Ep. 60
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso enjoy a conversation with Eileen Shaklee, aka "Mama Fry," who blogs at "Autism With A Side of Fries." Eileen first began blogging about life with her french-fry-loving Autistic son 9 years ago, and has built an online community where the unique joys and challenges of living with Autism can be shared. You can find Eileen's blog at Autism With a Side of Fries, or else follow her on Facebook or Instagram. Please consider giving generously to the Monmouth Ocean...
Sep 27, 2021•41 min•Ep. 59
Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso have the privilege of talking through how Tara McAlonan's family has come to be, challenge by challenge, heartbreak by heartbreak and how it all led to the adoption of Cade Francis. We are delighted to share this with you! Resources: Resolve Support Groups
Sep 20, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 58
In this episode, we interview Elizabeth's first Philadelphia friend, Shera Morris. We have the privilege of talking through how creativity helped her to find thin places even when going through grief. We are delighted to share this conversation with you! http://www.everydaythinplaces.com Pathways to Housing PA Project Home
Sep 13, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 57
In this week's episode we're celebrating being back to regular podcasting! Rachael Gallagher and Elizabeth Varaso start the podcast off with a recap of the thin places they experienced over the summer. Then, they share some insight on where the podcast is headed in the coming weeks and months. Mentioned in this episode: In the Heights Local 44 Campfire Stories BLTs Bachelor in Paradise Pizzacraft Higher Learning Podcast You can email the podcast at everydaythinplaces@gmail.com. Visit everydaythi...
Sep 06, 2021•33 min•Ep. 56
One more week of Summer break before new episodes return on September 6th, and we're replaying our most downloaded episode of 2020. Author, speaker and podcaster Rob Bell joins us to talk about his 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....
Aug 30, 2021•57 min
You've heard of "Christmas in July" - how about "Advent in August"? We'll be back with brand new episodes in a few weeks, but we're rounding out our final two weeks of summer break with our two most downloaded episodes from last year. In this episode we are joined by poet Kaitlin Shetler to discuss her poem "Sometimes I Wonder," the concept of incarnation, going deeper into the beauty of the Christmas story and so much more. Like what you hear and want to help support this podcast? Say thank you...
Aug 23, 2021•50 min
Another replay of a favorite episode for you to enjoy while we enjoy our summer break! 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 16, 2021•37 min
Another replay of a favorite episode for you to enjoy while we enjoy our summer break! 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 ...
Aug 09, 2021•39 min
Another replay of a favorite episode for you to enjoy while we enjoy our summer break! 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...
Aug 02, 2021•38 min
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 ...
Jul 26, 2021•36 min
Enjoy this replay of a favorite episode! 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/everydaythin...
Jul 19, 2021•49 min
In this replay of a favorite episode, 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...
Jul 12, 2021•41 min
In this replay of a favorite episode, 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 ow...
Jul 05, 2021•38 min
In this replay of one of our favorite episodes, 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 coffe...
Jun 28, 2021•45 min
