Over the past few weeks, the gift of gratitude practices has bubbled, bubbled up to the surface - even amidst some toil and trouble! This experience of listening for the sacred in everyday life is something I call Holy Shenanigans. So in light of the good bubbling up of gratitude and the gifts of Halloween trick-or-treating: Let’s put on our Halloween best and go out to seek some good treats! Today's special sppoky music by SoundGalleryBy from Pixabay . Send Tara a Text Message Support the show ...
Oct 18, 2022•11 min•Season 3Ep. 48
Tara puts three-and-a-half questions about love to Bob Lebel, a clinical geneticist in Syracuse, New York. Bob Lebel is a congenital Roman Catholic, came to ELCA as an adult. Married, three sons, four grandchildren. Earned advance degrees in Zoology, Theology, Ethics and Genetics; physician teaching and practicing medical genetics and genetic counseling at SUNY Upstate Medical University. He enjoys singing in church, gardening with his wife, reading classics, listening to “classical” music, goin...
Oct 11, 2022•11 min•Season 3Ep. 47
A message of hope in a season of grief and loss... Tara chats with researcher and author Dr. Eileen Campbell-Reed about how resilience, grace, and gratitude lead to lasting change and wholeness. Rev. Dr. Eileen Campbell-Reed (she/hers) is Visiting Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Care at Union Theological Seminary , New York City. She is founder and host of Three Minute Ministry Mentor (weekly video, blog and podcast), and author of Pastoral Imagination (2021) and the #PandemicPastor...
Oct 04, 2022•37 min•Season 3Ep. 46
Today we wish Holy Shenanigans a happy 2nd birthday... and talk about the intersection between faith, traumatic experiences, and trauma recovery with Jennifer Ohman-Rodriguez. About today's guest: Jennifer Ohman-Rodriguez is in the first call process toward ordination in Word and Sacrament ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Her first book, A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance: A Love Story of Grief, Trauma, Healing, and Faith , is published by Chalice Press. Ohman-Rodriguez i...
Sep 27, 2022•27 min•Season 3Ep. 45
Tara and author, pianist & activist EDJ consider the power of mercy in a conversation about deconstruction from fundamentalist conservative evangelical religion, embracing feminism, breaking free from purity culture and learning how forgiveness can flip tables of harm and bring unexpected healing in a Evangelical Deconstruction Journey. EDJ's Facebook account EDJ's Instagram account EDJ"s TikTok EDJ / Eady Jay loves to write about spirituality, sexuality, family, health and music. She has a ...
Sep 20, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 44
During a recent trip to Pittsburgh, Tara geeked out over sets and props from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood on display at the Heinz History Center . The legacy of Fred Rogers came to mind this week while she was musing on the weird parable about the shrewd manager. In a world obsessed with wealth and status, she concludes that faithfulness may be the most precious treasure of all. Send Tara a Text Message Support the show Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans ...
Sep 12, 2022•8 min•Season 3Ep. 43
What gifts do you have to extend love into the world? You might be surprised to find, it's something you carry with you every day. There is power in YOUR pockets. Poem: Odd Sock by: T.L. Eastman There once was a basket of socks that had no mates anymore. Mom had given my sister and I free reign to do what we wanted with them. “They can become, whatever you want.” We saw this basket of odd socks as treasure. We borrowed Mom’s sewing box. We added buttons, We added bows. We took humble tube socks ...
Sep 06, 2022•17 min•Season 3Ep. 42
In this episode of Beta Male Revolution , Billy & Brandy Eldridge speak with Pastor Tara Eastman about the intersection of feminism and religion. Like what you hear? Check out Beta Male Revolution for more discussions about emotional intelligence, peacemaking, and self-actualized living. Thanks Billy & Brandy for making this Beta Male Revolution available to Holy Shenanigan listeners! Send Tara a Text Message Support the show Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Ho...
Aug 30, 2022•38 min•Season 3Ep. 41
Chasing Goodness is a podcast where speaker, storyteller and author Matt Kendziera finds incredible people using their faith and life as a catalyst for goodness in this world. In this episode, pastor, poet, and podcaster Tara Lamont Eastman joins the show to discuss the future of faith and how the arts play an important role in our connection with the divine. Like what you hear? Head on over to Chasing Goodness to be inspired to discover your own goodness in order to make your life, family, comm...
Aug 23, 2022•45 min•Season 3Ep. 40
The Order of Saint Hildegard is an expansive, dispersed intentional community centered on the healthy and whole development of its members and chaplains. During the Wild Goose Festival , Tara sat down with its director and founder, Frances Cutshaw , who shares how the life of Saint Hildegard empowers her own calling and has led her to lift up others who are seeking the Sacred. Poem of the Week: Woman, Thank You Woman - Thank you. For bringing life to light and carrying it within you. Woman - we ...
Aug 16, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 39
Come take a seat at the campsite with Tara and guest Joy Crawford , a spiritual director with a deep connection to the natural world. You're in for a thought-provoking conversation about Eco-Spirituality, the Divine Feminine, and finding balance in life. Send Tara a Text Message Support the show Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020. Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a gradu...
Aug 09, 2022•27 min•Season 3Ep. 38
Tonyah Dee teaches about finding ways to daily increase inner strength, stability and confidence through practicing spiritual disciplines and healthy habits. Tara sat down with Tonyah during the Wild Goose Festival to talk about love, serenity, and finding purpose in life. Tonyah Dee is a registered dietitian, Christ-centered life coach, and master meditation teacher, making her perspective deep yet broad. She teaches evidence based lifestyle tips integrated with spiritual practices, believing i...
Aug 02, 2022•35 min•Season 3Ep. 37
Today's podcast comes to you from the Wild Goose Festival in Union Grove, North Carolina. Tara sits down for a conversation with Brian Allain, the creative force behind Writing For Your Life , Publishing in Color , Compassionate Christianity and Heal Our Divides . For Brian's full bio and link tree, go to: https://writingforyourlife.com/brian-allain/ Today's poem: God of Change God of change, Blow a cool breeze my way. Focus my attention on love. Love that welcomes all. Love that is diversity. C...
Jul 26, 2022•25 min•Season 3Ep. 36
Tara reminisces about theologian, writer and mentor Phillis Tickle and how she offered an oasis of encouragement to keep her going in her spiritual journey. Send Tara a Text Message Support the show Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020. Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary’s Theological Education for Emerging Ministry Program and the...
Jul 19, 2022•11 min•Season 3Ep. 35
Tara muses about distractions and rest. She tells a story about how a word of encouragement can help cut to the heart of what really matters. Send Tara a Text Message Support the show Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020. Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary’s Theological Education for Emerging Ministry Program and the Youth and Theo...
Jul 12, 2022•9 min•Season 3Ep. 34
Tara is traveling this week and she audio journals about one of the most well-known road trip stories of all time: the Good Samaritan. Wherever you find yourself on the map today, there are always opportunities to be a good neighbor. Send Tara a Text Message Support the show Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020. Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theol...
Jul 05, 2022•13 min•Season 3Ep. 33
In Episode 95 of Holy Shenanigans Podcast: Smile Up To Your Eyes, Tara tells a story about human hunger of boy, mind and spirit calls us to actions to feed one another - but the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few. How do we see God in the face of all we meet? How can we to honor the humanity of each human? How can we smile up to our eyes and feed whatever hunger must be fed? Because the harvest is plentiful, but the workers, the workers are few… With Original Song by T.L. Eastman "Beyo...
Jun 28, 2022•20 min•Season 3Ep. 32
Dancing with God is an invitation to show up as we are - where we are - and stop looking back. Would you like to take a turn on the Holy Shenanigans dance floor? Let’s go - and try a new step forward! Today's special ending theme is Creative Commons Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com . Send Tara a Text Message Support the show Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020. Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, m...
Jun 21, 2022•11 min•Season 3Ep. 31
Pastor Tara is a little under the weather this week, so Ian, the other Eastman associated with this podcast fills in and tries not to break anything. He tells a story about a kind act that changes a young boy's life. Send Tara a Text Message Support the show Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020. Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary’s...
Jun 14, 2022•5 min•Season 3Ep. 30
We hear hard truths about the call of love and are joined by a special guest author and theologian Rebecca Trotter . Rebecca is a mom, writer, thinker, teacher, Christian and odd duck. Her activism has included working with organizations serving their local communities both here and around the world. Rebecca can be found at her website, The Upside Down World. Send Tara a Text Message Support the show Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of ...
Jun 07, 2022•23 min•Season 3Ep. 29
Tara turns the mic over to guest David Gray, who shares his piece Preparing for Daycare, about how his family moves through the world because of complex systems of racism and oppression. David has some important insights about how to work towards equity and justice. Will we listen? Follow him on Twitter and Instagram . Also, here's a link to organizations you can support who are assisting victims and the neighborhood in the wake of the Buffalo tragedy. Send Tara a Text Message Support the show R...
May 31, 2022•18 min•Season 3Ep. 28
Prayer is for everyone... Tara ponders a Jesus story that Jesus prays for everyone - and that means everyone! Would you like to learn more about prayer? Give us a listen as we explore the expansive practice of prayer. One of Tara's prayer practices is making art. This week's episode features a mixed media painting created to celebrate the 50th Anniversary for the ordination of women in the ELCA. (50 women/40 women of color and culture/10 women identifying as queer.) To view Tara's art and view t...
May 24, 2022•11 min•Season 3Ep. 27
Tara talks with writer and agent of change Spencer Burke from Lean Faith about some tools to aid us in times of change: curiosity, courage and community. She ponders letting go of fear and holding on to peace in the midst of change. Let’s take some time together to learn how to be courageous, curious, community-builders. About our guest: Spencer Burke is a widely sought after speaker, coach, trainer and strategist in the field of spiritual innovation. When ministries want to dream or feel stuck ...
May 17, 2022•34 min•Season 3Ep. 26
Tara talks with author and book lover Laura Alary about her new book, Sun In My Tummy , and how all our words, especially the parting ones, call us to be truly known by our love. About our guest: Laura Alary is a writer and storyteller who believes that stories can make us bigger on the inside. She has loved books from the time she could barely clamber up the steps to the book mobile that rolled into her neighborhood once a week. After many years immersed in the academic study of bible and theol...
May 10, 2022•32 min•Season 3Ep. 25
Tara talks with pastor, poet, magician and coffee bean roaster John Stephens about the 23rd Psalm as well as how making change requires loving and respectful action. About my guest: John Stevens was born and raised in South-East Idaho, and has spent all of his life living in the Pacific Northwest. John is a pastor in the ELCA, roaster of the blessed bean, dabbler in the art of sleight of hand, and spends a lot of time over at the Dollar Store Children Sermons blog, where he provides springboards...
May 03, 2022•21 min•Season 3Ep. 24
Tara talks with artist and storyteller Lisa Kaufer from Muddy Fork about how her love of creating feeds her soul. Tara also breaks down a Jesus story about breakfast on a beach. Stick around to see just what you might be peckish for as she asks the question, " What feeds your soul?" About our guest: Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Lisa ventured to the beautiful Southwest to attend the University of Arizona, where she earned degrees in Communication and Spanish. She has always felt called to...
Apr 26, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 23
The long awaited season of Easter is here, and while it’s a time of celebration and new life, I think that it also is a time to live into the questions we have about life. Do you have some questions? So do I. Join Tara for some space to ponder. Send Tara a Text Message Support the show Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020. Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of War...
Apr 19, 2022•11 min•Season 3Ep. 22
The long awaited season of Easter - one of NEW LIFE is here - Hallelujah … And I am here for it! This week Rev. Ruth Hetland of ConseCrate Boxes joins Rev. Tara for a conversation about sharing love and support by way of subscription boxes for women clergy - in Episode 84 of Holy Shenanigans Podcast: The Women are here for it! Special Guest Rev. Dr. Ruth Hetland is Interim Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota and the founder of ConseCrate Subscription Box, LLC. Sh...
Apr 12, 2022•23 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Mud season in Shenanigansville has got Tara thinking about life in the messy middle. She shares a mantra that grounds her in the sacredness of everyday life. She also offers her original composition I Need To Know You're Here as a space of reflection for you in this sixth week of Lent. Send Tara a Text Message Support the show Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020. Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music...
Apr 05, 2022•13 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Tara and special guest author Mike Morrell have an epic length conversation about love, community, resurrection, spirituality, boundaries and Flaming Carrot Comics. About this week’s guest: Mike Morrell is the collaborating author, with Fr. Richard Rohr, on The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation , founder of Wisdom Camp, and a founding organizer of the justice, arts, and spirituality Wild Goose Festival. Mike curates contemplative and community experiences via Relational Skills , ...
Mar 29, 2022•40 min•Season 3Ep. 19