Intro and outro music on each episode provided by Drakeford. Production by Jeremy Frye of Anam Cara Ministries.

Show Notes:

• Changing Life Patterns: Adult Development in Spiritual Direction by Elizabeth Liebert (or here via Internet Archive)

Show Notes:

• John's Website Here

  • Two of his (many) books mentioned: Starting Spiritual Direction and Growing into God

• Chaplaincy Institute Here Home 

• Don Bisson’s  Website Here 

  • Spiritual Direction as Spiritual Practice

Show Notes:

• The Goldfish by Matisse

• From Work Well's research: The United Methodist Church worked with The General Board of Higher Education to identify the major tasks that comprise the work of a pastor, and found that there are 13 “task clusters” for the average clergy person. The lead scholar of industrial and organizational psychology behind the study concluded the report by saying, “The breadth of tasks performed by local church pastors coupled with the rapid switching between task clusters and roles that appears prevalent in this position is unique. I have never encountered such a fast-paced job with such varied and impactful responsibilities.” 

• The Pastor's Persona by Jonathan Golden

Show Notes:

• Kathleen's book,  Suffering and the Vulnerable Rule of God: A Feminist Epistemology, can be found as an ebook here

• Salvador Dali's Christ of Saint John of the Cross image here 

• TIM Supervision Training - July 15th Deadline Approaching!

  1. Did you know that Together in the Mystery offers supervision training for spiritual directors? Deadlines approach for our 2024-2025 Foundations of Supervision cohorts offered online and in Dublin, Ireland. 

  2. Foundations offers practical teaching and robust engagement with colleagues, along with individual supervision and mentoring as you grow your own supervision ministry. 

  3. Already trained in TIM supervision or looking for a more comprehensive program suitable for those forming spiritual directors? Our online Advanced Certificate in Supervision may be right for you. (And if you're experienced supervisor trained outside of TIM, check out our Intro to TIM Supervision intensive.)

  4. Visit www.togetherinthemystery.org/supervision-training for more info!

Show Notes:

• TIM Supervision Training - July 15th Deadline Approaching: 

  1. Did you know that Together in the Mystery offers supervision training for spiritual directors? Deadlines approach for our 2024-2025 Foundations of Supervision cohorts offered online and in Dublin, Ireland. 

  2. Foundations offers practical teaching and robust engagement with colleagues, along with individual supervision and mentoring as you grow your own supervision ministry. 

  3. Already trained in TIM supervision or looking for a more comprehensive program suitable for those forming spiritual directors? Our online Advanced Certificate in Supervision may be right for you. (And if you're experienced supervisor trained outside of TIM, check out our Intro to TIM Supervision intensive.)

  4. Visit www.togetherinthemystery.org/supervision-training for more info!

Show Notes:

• Find out more about Scott on his website here

• Here is the book Scott referred to: Embracing the Exile

• TIM Supervision Training - July 15th Deadline Approaching: 

  1. Did you know that Together in the Mystery offers supervision training for spiritual directors? Deadlines approach for our 2024-2025 Foundations of Supervision cohorts offered online and in Dublin, Ireland. 

  2. Foundations offers practical teaching and robust engagement with colleagues, along with individual supervision and mentoring as you grow your own supervision ministry. 

  3. Already trained in TIM supervision or looking for a more comprehensive program suitable for those forming spiritual directors? Our online Advanced Certificate in Supervision may be right for you. (And if you're experienced supervisor trained outside of TIM, check out our Intro to TIM Supervision intensive.)

  4. Visit www.togetherinthemystery.org/supervision-training for more info!

Show Notes:

• Find out more about Ruth on her website here

• Hebrew Union College

• More about Miriam's Well here

Season 3, Episode 9: Arts & Supervision

Maria and Vanessa are joined by Online Abbess of Abbey of the Arts, author, and supervisor Christine Valters Paintner to discuss the ways art and creativity can bring fresh awareness, freedom, and delight to the practices of supervision and spiritual direction.

Christine Valters Paintner is a Benedictine oblate and the online Abbess at Abbey of the Arts, a virtual monastery integrating contemplative practice and creative expression. She is a poet and the author of 20 books on the spiritual life. Christine lives on the wild edges of Ireland with her husband, John, where they lead retreats and other programs online for a global ecumenical community. Find out more about Christine here.

Show Notes:

• Abbey of the Arts

• Expressive Arts Resources

• French Pantoum

• 6 Word Memoirs

• 3 of Christine's books mentioned: Awakening the Creative Spirit: Bringing the Arts to Spiritual Direction, The Artist's Rule: Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom, Love Holds You: Poems and Devotions for Times of Uncertainty; see the rest of Christine's books here  

• Julian of Norwich in her Sick Bed 

Season 3, Episode 8: Illness & Supervision

In a deeply personal episode, Maria Tattu Bowen, Vanessa Caruso, and Tara Owens discuss the impact of illness (both chronic and acute) on the practice of spiritual direction and supervision. How do we discern how to hold our visible and invisible illnesses? How might they change or charge our practice in particular ways? Listen in to join the conversation. 

Season 3, Episode 7: Feminine Image of God
in Spiritual Direction & Supervision

Maria Tattu Bowen, Vanessa Caruso, and Tara Owens are joined by spiritual director and supervisor Fiona Koefoed-Jespersen to discuss how the feminine image of God can and often does show up in both spiritual direction and supervision. Reflecting on questions that might emerge for both director and supervisor, Fiona offers wise reflections as to why supervision matters in this rich conversation.

Fiona Koefoed-Jespersen is a Spiritual Director and Retreat and Pilgrim Guide. She started Ordinary Pilgrim to offer support and resources to those wanting to walk their Life Journey with greater intention and authenticity, and with a deep connection to God. She is delighted to offer guided pilgrimages and retreats, Spiritual Direction for individuals and groups, and workshops and courses to enable you to grow and deepen your spiritual walk. 

Fiona received her formation in Spiritual Direction through Encounter, the three-year programme from the London Centre for Spiritual Direction, where she is also a Community Member. She now tutors on the third year of the Encounter course. Fiona has a background in leadership and communications in the NGO sector, most recently with Prison Fellowship England and Wales, and as co-founder of Serve the City Luxembourg. She live in Copenhagen, Denmark with her husband, two young children, and a cocker spaniel called Chilli. If you’re looking for her, you’ll probably find her in the garden with her hands in the soil, or swimming at the beach.

You can learn more about Fiona's upcoming online offering surrounding the Divine Feminine in the Show Notes below.

Show Notes:

• Ordinary Pilgrim: You can find more information about Fiona's spiritual direction practice and pilgrimage offerings here, or subscribe to her substack here.

• SHE: An immersive exploration of the divine feminine in Christian scriptures and tradition. November 3, 2023. Learn more here.

Season 3, Episode 6: Immigrant Experiences in Spiritual Direction

Maria Tattu Bowen and Vanessa Caruso engage in conversation with spiritual director, retreat leader, spiritual direction mentor, and Cameroonian native Antoinette Enohmbi about the immigrant experience within the context of spiritual direction. Antoinette Okala Enohmbi serves as a spiritual director in Charlotte, NC and is an active member of Spiritual Directors International. Antoinette holds a B.A. degree in Psychology. Her perspective and understanding of God’s love and presence is built from her personal life experiences, her work as a counselor and special-education teacher and her completion of the four year Fairfield University Spiritual Formation program. Antoinette has a strong background in Ignatian spirituality and serves as a mentor with the Spiritual Direction Formation program currently sponsored by Fairfield University. She is also a trained and certified Professional Life Coach. See show notes for contact information.

Show Notes:

• Spiritual Direction: Antoinette Enohmbi is open and available to journey with individuals who are seeking a deeper and more personal relationship with God and want to find God's presence within their daily life. She is available to meet via phone, Zoom or Skype. For spiritual direction, email her at antoinetteabe@yahoo.com or phone her at 301-404-4261.

• Life Coaching: Antoinette is also a trained and certified Professional Life coach with the international coaching federation (ICF). Contact: Transformative Life coaching LLC -  Antoinette@tlifecoaching.com | 301-404-4261

Season 3, Episode 5: Trauma-Informed Supervision

Tracy Busse, a licensed trauma therapist and trained spiritual director, joins Vanessa Caruso and Tara Owens to discuss trauma-informed spiritual direction and supervision. For over 18 years, Tracy has provided therapeutic services to adolescents, adults, leaders, and organizations. She offers therapy to adults and adolescents coping with challenges related to grief/loss, depression, anxiety, family issues, and other areas that cause distress. Tracy believes in providing individualized, holistic care through a gentle, compassionate approach that leads to healing and restoration for the whole person.

Tracy's life and work have fueled an ongoing desire to move in harmony with the Trinity and to create spaces where all can encounter a God who longs to heal and befriend us. Tracy has completed her Spiritual Direction training as a part of a Doctorate of Ministry degree at Fuller Theological Seminary. She was also trained by the Jesuit Institute of South Africa to offer the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius.

She specializes in working with adolescents and individuals who have experienced various traumas, including childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, spiritual abuse, psychological abuse, sexual exploitation, and other forms of developmental trauma. Tracy is trained in several evidence-based practices, which include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), the Progressive Counting Method (PCM), Internal Famly Systems (IFS), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). She also has specialized training to provide spiritually integrated and faith-sensitive services. 

Show Notes:

• Find out more about Ash Tree Center here and Tracy's offerings here 

• Sign up for Tracy's upcoming 6-Week Trauma-Informed Spirituality Training beginning in January here 

• Read Tracy's article Safe & Loving Connection with God in Conversatio here 

• Read more about the guiding principles of trauma-informed care on page 10 of this PDF 

• Find Resmaa Menakem's work - including My Grandmother's Hands - here 

• Find out more about Stephen Porges' work on Polyvagal Theory here 

• Subscribe to Tracy's newsletter about upcoming courses and offerings here 

• *Correction: The definition of trauma Tracy uses in the beginning is from Stephen Porges, not Bessel van der Kolk as initially attributed 

Season 3, Episode 4: Inner Relationship Focusing

Kim Isaak joins the Three Association team to talk about Inner Relationship Focusing and the ways this orientation toward the deep wisdom within us has changed her practice of supervision. Kim serves as a spiritual director, spiritual direction supervisor, and pastor at Restoration Ministries, which she helped establish in 2007. She graduated with a Master’s in Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Spring Arbor University, a degree program founded by Dallas Willard and Richard Foster. She has a certificate in spiritual direction from Restoration Ministries and completed spiritual direction supervision training from Together in the Mystery. She participated in a 9-month clinical pastoral education unit at the Good Samaritan Society in Robbinsdale, MN where she learned how to companion the dying and those who love them. She is a certified Inner Relationship Focusing Teacher and Professional. 

**Correction: In this episode, we incorrectly stated that Inner Relationship Focusing came from Internal Family Systems (alongside Eugene Gendlin's focusing work). In actuality, Ann Weiser Cornell was developing Inner Relationship Focusing years before hearing of Internal Family Systems. If there was a second influence in IRF for her, it was Non-Violent Communication. 

Show Notes:

Kim's website with her upcoming 10-week IRF courses

IRF Workship! Together in the Mystery is hosting Kim's 2-hour IRF Workshop Befriending The Soul on Friday, November 3rd 9-11 am PT.  Space limited to 12 participants. Find out more and register here!

International Focusing Institute

Inner Relationship Focusing with Ann Weiser Cornell

Kim continues to serve with Restoration Ministries (https://www.restorationmn.org/) a spiritual direction and formation ministry based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota.

Kim collaborates with Paula Gamble-Grant (https://mysoulrefresh.podia.com/) to bring Inner Relationship Focusing to soul care providers through the Doorways to the Soul curriculum and practicing communities. 

Season 3, Episode 3: Internal Family Systems

Our dear friend and colleague Frank Rogers joins Tara and Maria to discuss Internal Family Systems. Dr. Frank Rogers Jr. is a professor of Spiritual Formation at Claremont School of Theology, and his research and teaching focus is on life formation that is contemplative, creative, and socially liberative. A trained spiritual guide and experienced retreat leader, he has written on the interconnections between spirituality, social engagement, and compassion. He is the author of three books — a novel, a description of the CEC’s Compassion Practice, and an exploration of the role of the narrative arts (storytelling, drama, creative writing, and autobiography) in the formation of well-being in teenagers and abused and marginalized children.

Show Notes:

Inside Out (2015) | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Richard Schwartz and IFS Institute: What is Internal Family Systems? | IFS Institute

Inner Relationship Focusing and Ann Weiser Cornell: Focusing Resources - Inner Relationship Focusing

Coming Soon: Frank will be offering a series on IFS for Spiritual Companions through Stillpoint in the new year. It will be three Saturdays (2/3/24, 3/2/24, 4/20/24) with work in between the plenaries. 

Frank's beautiful new memoir Cradled in the Arms of Compassion: A Spiritual Journey from Trauma to Recovery includes resources that can sustain anyone who knows suffering and trauma, resources rooted in a sacred source of infinite compassion. The hardcover and e-book will be available on October 17, 2023. We may experience the audio version of the book, read by Frank, later in October and the paperback after that. The Together in the Mystery staff encourages pre-ordering of the book on Amazon and  Barnes and Noble - and please write a review when you can to support Frank's work.

Season 3, Episode 2: The Experience Circle

In Episode 2, Tara, Maria & Vanessa introduce a tool we've referenced in several conversations. The Experience Circle is a way of understanding ourselves and our relationship with God through four arenas and dimensions. It can be beneficial for directors and supervisors to identify where and how God might be encountering us and our supervisees.

Show Transcript (in English)

Show Notes:

"To Bring All Things Together: Spiritual Direction as Action for Justice" by James Keegan, SJ

Spiritual Direction and Social Consciousness by Elinor Shea

An Interview with Elizabeth Liebert on The Soul of Discernment

Season 3, Episode 1: Compassionate, Contemplative, Evocative Supervision

As we launch Season 3, we begin with a review of what compassionate, contemplative, evocative supervision is, and why it matters. Many of us come with baggage to the practice of supervision, and this episode makes compassionate space for that, while reminding us why supervision in the Together in the Mystery model matters so much to ethical practice and care of our directees.  

Season 3, Coming Soon!: A Teaser On What To Look Forward To

Join Maria, Tara & our new co-host, Vanessa Caruso, for a short preview of Season 3. We'll share our upcoming topics and when to expect the launch of this rich next season.

Season 2, Episode 10: Season Two Wrap-up

Maria and Tara are joined by previous guest Vanessa Caruso to talk about the gifts of Season Two, the things we've learned, and to share a big announcement about Season Three.

Show Notes:

The Guest House

by Rumi

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

— Jalaluddin Rumi, translation by Coleman Barks (The Essential Rumi)

Season 2, Episode 9: Highly Sensitive People

What does it mean to be a highly sensitive person, and how might that be connected to spiritual direction? What do spiritual directors need to be aware of in themselves and in others when it comes to being an HSP? Maria and Tara are joined by Dan Schrock, DMin, for this enlivening and grounding conversation about sensitivity, spirituality, and the support of supervision.

Dan Schrock is the co-director of the Doctor of Ministry in Leadership degree at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary and Camaldolese Benedictine oblate affiliated with the Monastery of the Risen Christ in San Luis Obispo, California. He offers spiritual direction and supervision, and teaches in the Advanced Certificate in Supervision, which is offered through Fordham University's Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education.

Season 2, Episode 8: Deconstruction

The tables are turned in this episode as one of our hosts, Tara, becomes the guest for a discussion of what it means to hold space for deconstruction in both the spiritual direction and supervision relationships. Joined in the host chair by Vanessa Caruso, Maria and Tara take time to unpack this important and present topic.

Tara Owens, CSD, CSDS is the Executive Director of Anam Cara Ministries, and has been a spiritual director and supervisor for more than 15 years. She is the author of two books, Embracing the Body: Finding God In Our Flesh & Bone (IVP: 2015) and At Play In God's Creation: A Contemplative Coloring Book (Franciscan Media: 2017), teaches and trains spiritual directors through the Anam Cara Apprenticeship and lives in Colorado with her family.

Season 2, Episode 7: Power in Spiritual Direction

Maria and Tara are joined by our guest Monica Romig Green for a conversation about how power works in the spiritual direction and supervision relationships. A lively discussion that has our hosts thinking about power from a fresh angle, this conversation is full of new awareness—and even some discomfort—about all the ways power shows up in these holy spaces. Together they explore how power is more than—and not what!—we think it is.

Monica Romig Green is spiritual director, writer, speaker, and retreat leader. She has been giving spiritual direction since 2003, and is passionate about creativity and the arts, and teaches on improvisation, and creativity. She offers original interactive spiritual retreats called Play Without Ceasing (www.playwithoutceasing.com) which combine the concepts of theatrical improvisation and spiritual formation to help participants encounter Christ and His Body with renewed joy and wonder. A breast cancer survivor, she also served as staff and adjunct faculty at Biola University. As the facilitator for Biola’s Center for Spiritual Renewal, she supervised 75 spiritual directors and oversaw all community-building events at Biola’s Institute for Spiritual Formation. 

A native of Southern California, she currently lives in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where she is a candidate to ordination in the Anglican Church of Canada with her husband, Matthew, and rescue Chihuahua, Gomez.

Season 2, Episode 6: Multiple Roles in Spiritual Direction

In this episode, Maria and Tara are joined by therapist Sam Jolman for a cross-discipline discussion of what are called dual, complex, or multiple relationships in spiritual direction. What can we learn from the therapeutic understanding of multiple relationships? What imagination might we need for the spiritual direction space when it comes to dual roles? What questions might we bring to our own supervisors as we consider these relationships of holy listening?

Sam is a professional therapist with over 15 years of experience in narrative-focused trauma care. He specializes in men’s issues, couples counseling, and sexual abuse recovery. He writes regularly for his blog on topics of sexuality, spirituality, and mental health. He loves helping people heal and find freedom amidst the plots of their lives

He lives in Colorado with his wife and three young sons, the people that inspire his writing and ideas the most. Together, in their pop-up camper, they are exploring the best camping spots in Colorado. Sam goes to therapy, mountain bikes, and can be found trying to catch his breath on the floor of his local CrossFit gym. 

His forthcoming book, The Sex Talk You Never Got, is set to release with Thomas Nelson in the Spring ’24. You can follow along and get his free ebook Story Formed at his website SamJolman.com

Season 2, Episode 5: Confidentiality

Confidentiality is deeply important in the spiritual direction and supervision space, but what do we need to consider when thinking about how to guard the holy ground of our directee's souls? What imagination might be necessary when we talk about confidentiality with ourselves and with others? What does that process look like, and how might it be engaged in creativity and hope? Join Maria and Tara as they talk with our guest Jeremy Frye about the ins, outs, and practicalities of confidentiality in the spiritual direction and supervision relationship.  

Jeremy Frye is a spiritual director, retreat leader, and Director of Sacred Community for Anam Cara Ministries. One of his deepest joys is companioning people on their journey toward living into and out of their belovedness. His vocational pilgrimage began with serving for 20 years in full-time pastoral ministry in the local church, which has given him a profound understanding of and compassion for those whose personal spirituality and professional contexts converge (sometimes easily and sometimes causing great distress). He is deeply acquainted with grief and loss as well as the good but difficult work of the disordering and reordering of one's faith. Jeremy has completed a certificate in Soul Care from the Soul Care Institute, through Fuller Seminary, a 2-year apprenticeship in spiritual direction through Anam Cara, and is currently enrolled in the Companioning Center’s program for Supervision Training. Jeremy lives with his wife, two children, one dog, six chickens, and whoever else needs a place to rest their head at An Téarmann (Gaelic for the refuge), their little urban homestead in East Nashville, Tennessee. He is taking both local and at-a-distance directees and supervisees. He can be reached via email at:jeremy@anamcara.com.

Show Notes:

Gmail Plugin: Virtru: https://www.virtru.com/?hsLang=en

JotForms: https://www.jotform.com/

Season 2, Episode 4: Self-Supervision

What is self-supervision, and how do spiritual directors practice it? What role does it play in engaging in the process of supervision with an individual supervisor or group supervision? Spiritual director and supervisor Terry Christensen joins hosts Maria and Tara to discuss this essential step in the practice of spiritual direction.

Terry Christenson has offered spiritual direction, retreats, and classes in contemplative practices since 2002. She was trained as a supervisor in 2008 as part of the original cohort of Together in the Mystery. She currently works with several schools of spiritual direction and supervisor formation as a supervisor/trainer and is a member of Spiritual Directors International. She makes her home in southwest Oregon.

Season 2, Episode 3: Self-Disclosure in Spiritual Direction

Join hosts Maria and Tara as they discuss the issue of self-disclosure in a spiritual direction relationship with guest Greg Cochran. Together they explore how and when it might be appropriate for a spiritual director to share from their personal story in a spiritual direction session and what the pitfalls of sharing in this way might be. What should a director be on guard for? What might be the positive side of self-disclosure?

Greg Cochran is a spiritual guide and companion seeking to live into - and out of - a contemplative way of being in the world - as Executive Director at Well for the Journey in Lutherville, MD; as a staff person for Shalem Institute’s Spiritual Guidance Program in Washington, D.C. and for PASEO Spiritual Direction Program in Idaho; as a minister; as a woodworker; as a photographer; as a sojourner with and within creation; as a husband, and as a dad—learning from and giving gratitude for each relationship along the way.

Season 2, Episode 2: Ending A Spiritual Direction Relationship 

In Episode 2, Maria and Tara are joined by Luz Marina Díaz to discuss how, why, and when to end a spiritual direction relationship. This conversation encompasses the pitfalls and freedoms that come in honestly discerning when a spiritual direction relationship is drawing to a close, and why supervision is essential to this process.

Luz Marina Díaz, Ph.D., was born in Caracas, Venezuela. She is the director of religious education at the Church of St. Francis Xavier in Manhattan, N.Y., and director of the Spiritual Direction Practicum at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education.

Season 2, Episode 1: Beginning A Spiritual Direction Relationship 

 Hosts Maria Tattu Bowen and Tara Owens are back with another season of the Three Association podcast. In our first conversation of the second season, Scott Quinn joins in a conversation about how to begin a spiritual direction relationship. How do you discern a good fit with a directee? What does it look like to begin well? 

Scott is a spiritual director and supervisor who holds Masters of Divinity, a Masters of Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica,  a spiritual direction practicum at the Seminary of the Southwest, and has a certificate of completion from the Interfaith Spiritual Direction program and the Supervision of Spiritual Directors program at The Chaplaincy Institute. He has been providing professional spiritual guidance since 2005. He is also a member of Spiritual Directors International, the professional organization for spiritual guides/spiritual directors, and has served on the staff of San Francisco Theological Seminary’s Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction program. You can learn more about his work here.  

Show Notes:

JotForms: https://www.jotform.com/

Season 1, Episode 1: What is Supervision? 

 Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Three Association podcast. In our first conversation, Maria, Tara, and Noel free associate with the word "supervision" and then take a deep dive into how contemplative, evocative supervision is very different than other models of supervision that we may have experienced in our lives, and how we encounter God and healing through its practice.

Season 1, Episode 2: What Can I Expect in Supervision?

Join our hosts Maria, Tara, and Noel as we explore what to expect in supervision. We'll consider what a spiritual director brings to a supervision session and why contemplative reflection forms matter to the process.

Show Notes:

These Contemplative Reflection Forms are examples, only. Please contact Anam Cara or Together in the Mystery for permission to use or duplicate these forms in part or in full.

Individual Contemplative Reflection Form for Supervision from Anam Cara Ministries (first document below)

Group Contemplative Reflection Form for Supervision from Anam Cara Ministries (second document below) 

Season 1, Episode 3: What is the Role of Compassion in Supervision?

In this episode, Noel, Maria, and Tara explore the way compassion and compassionate presence in supervision transform the experience from one of tension to one of openness and grace, where the supervisee is free to experience interior movement, invitations, and deeper awareness of Divine Love.    

Show Notes:

Andrei Rublev's  The Trinity (image below)

Kelly Latimore Icons: The Trinity

More on internal family systems

Elbows by John Fox (poem)

Season 1, Episode 4: An Announcement & Self-Care for Spiritual Directors

Hosts Maria and Tara share about the tragic death of our co-host, Noel. This episode marks a change in format, as we honor Noel's legacy by moving forward, but don't fill his chair as host. Instead, as we continue we welcome guests to explore these topics with us, leaving the third chair "open" for the Spirit.

Episode 4's topic is self-care for spiritual directors, with our guest, ​the Rev. Dr. Rebecca Bradburn Langer who is a trained, experienced spiritual director and supervisor. Rebecca is currently residing in Fernandina Beach, Florida. She earned her D. Min. at San Francisco Theological Seminary.  She has served as a spiritual director and retreat leader for more than 30 years and as a supervisor and trainer of spiritual directors for more than 20 years.  Rebecca has been in various positions of the Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction program at San Francisco Theological Seminary and co-founder, with Dr. Maria Tattu Bowen, the supervisory component called Together in the Mystery. She co-edited, with Mary Rose Bumpus, a Spiritual Directors International book on supervision entitled Supervision of Spiritual Directors: Engaging in Holy Mystery (Morehouse, 2005).  She also is the author of  "Harvest of Righteousness." Rebecca is retired as a Presbyterian minister.

Season 1, Episode 5: What Is A Capacity Cushion &
How Does It Apply To Spiritual Direction?

Join hosts Maria and Tara as they discuss the concept of developing a capacity cushion in our practice of spiritual direction, along with guest and MBA-Cyber Security (cand.) Bryan Owens. A husband, a father, and a business leader, Bryan brings a fresh and inviting way of exploring our way of being with others and approaching care for our own souls. Bryan has been involved in non-profit development and leadership for more than 15 years, and currently serves on the board of two non-profits. His strategic strengths in combination with his deep love of God and others bring together a rare set of gifts and ways of seeing.    

Season 1, Episode 6: When To Refer

Joined in conversation with supervisor, spiritual director, and therapist Linda Flynn, Maria and Tara discuss the question of when to refer in spiritual direction. Together they explore what it means to understand the ethical and practical boundaries of spiritual direction, and what flags help us know when to refer.

Please note that this informal conversation about referral is informational only, and should not be used in place of your own supervision, direction, or therapy. If you or your directees/supervisees are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed in this podcast, contact your spiritual director, supervisor, or therapist for appropriate and individualized support.

Show Notes:

Please note that these resources are meant for support only. As spiritual directors and supervisors, our role is not to psychoanalytically assess our directees or supervisees for diagnosis (that is the role of appropriately trained professionals), but instead to notice and discern whether additional support is appropriate. 

Suicide Risk Assessments:

APA Suicide Risk Assessment

MDH Suicide Risk Assessment

Supports for How to Identify Depression:

Interactive Depression Symptoms Test

Signs of Depression (Healthline)

Signs of Depression or Anxiety (Mayo Clinic)

Emergency Calling over Zoom:

How To Set It Up

How To Engage Distance Emergency Calling (Address Needed)

Safety Planning Supports:

Season 1, Episode 7: Boundaries in Spiritual Direction & Supervision

Spiritual director, supervisor, and author Susan S. Phillips talks with Maria and Tara about the importance of appropriate boundaries in spiritual direction and supervision.

Susan S. Phillips (Ph.D.) is executive director of New College Berkeley, an affiliate of the Graduate Theological Union. Susan is a spiritual director who, in addition to meeting with people one-on-one, also speaks around the world and regularly leads retreats for colleges, churches, clergy, and laity.

Susan Phillips is a sociologist and teaches regularly for New College Berkeley, Regent College (Canada), Fuller Theological Seminary, and the Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction program at San Francisco Theological Seminary. For more information, view http://www.susansphillips.com/

Show Notes:

Books:

Candlelight: Illuminating the Art of Spiritual Direction by Susan S. Phillips

The Cultivated Life: From Ceaseless Striving to Receiving Joy by Susan S. Phillips

Article:

Do No Harm: A Case for Professional Boundaries by Maria Tattu Bowen, PhD

A Few Boundaries to Consider (not a complete list) :

Time: Frequency & Duration

Location

Dual Roles

Institutional Association

Payment

Methods of Contact

Gifts

Invitations

Self-Disclosure

Confidentiality

Clothing

Size of Practice

Physical Contact

Season 1, Episode 8: Developing A Toolkit for Direction & Supervision

Join Maria and Tara as they welcome guest, supervisor, and Advanced Supervision Certificate (GRE), Fordham University student Vanessa Caruso to discuss what it means to develop a tool kit for spiritual direction or supervision. Data protection protocols, suicide prevention protocols, covenant, a professional will—why and how do these fold into the contemplative stance of spiritual direction?

You can learn more about Vanessa and her work at https://www.directionwithvanessa.com/

Show Notes:

Season 1, Episode 9: Exploring Group Supervision

In the final episode of Season 1, Maria and Tara are joined by Lil Smith to discuss the difference between individual and group supervision. When is one appropriate more than the other? What are the advantages and disadvantages of both?

A second career pastor, the Reverend Dr. Lil Smith was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, USA in 2011.  She recently completed her Doctor of Ministry at Perkins School of Theology defending the project, “Reclaiming the Role of Pastor as Spiritual Guide in the Reformed Tradition.”  Lil earned a Master of Divinity with a Certificate in Pastoral Care at Perkins a Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction (DASD) at San Francisco Theological Seminary, and studied supervision with Together in the Mystery.  

Lil is director and co-founder of Retreat House, a day retreat and spirituality center in Richardson, TX .  She is a trained spiritual director and supervisor.  In the role of adjunct faculty, Lil facilitates the supervised practicum classes in the Perkins School of Theology Certification in Spiritual Direction and spiritual formation groups.  

Season 1, Episode 10: Season One Wrap-Up

A short wrap-up of Season 1 and a call for topics, questions, or suggestions for Season Two and beyond with Maria and Tara. Look for Season Two to drop in the Fall of 2022. 

Maria Tattu Bowen and Vanessa Caruso engage in conversation with spiritual director, retreat leader, spiritual direction mentor, and Cameroonian native Antoinette Enohmbi about the immigrant experience within the context of spiritual direction. Antoinette Okala Enohmbi serves as a spiritual director in Charlotte, NC and is an active member of Spiritual Directors International. Antoinette holds a B.A. degree in Psychology. Her perspective and understanding of God’s love and presence is built from her personal life experiences, her work as a counselor and special-education teacher and her completion of the four year Fairfield University Spiritual Formation program. Antoinette has a strong background in Ignatian spirituality and serves as a mentor with the Spiritual Direction Formation program currently sponsored by Fairfield University. She is also a trained and certified Professional Life Coach. See show notes for contact information.