Curtis Childs is the Vice President of Programming and Chief Visionary Officer at the Swedenborg Foundation and director of the YouTube Channel Off The Left Eye. While obtaining his degree in communication studies from Oakland University, Curtis experienced an internal battle with depression that led him to question God and his lifelong interest in Swedenborgian theology. After a period of intense suffering, he recovered from his depression with the help of modern medicine, therapy, and a return to the spiritually uplifting messages he found in Swedenborg’s writings. Now, Curtis is applying his education and desire to help others find peace through Swedenborg’s insights by producing and hosting this weekly webcast. He’s happiest when he can use Swedenborg’s concepts to help someone solve something they used to think was unsolvable.
keywords Swedenborg, spirituality, mental health, YouTube, new church, communication, community, love, religion, content creation, Providence
summary In this episode of the Be Love podcast, Sage Cole interviews Curtis Childs, who shares his journey with Swedenborg's teachings and how they have influenced his life and work. Curtis discusses the challenges and joys of creating content around Swedenborg's writings, the importance of mental health, and the evolving landscape of spirituality in modern society. He emphasizes the need for love and passion in his work and reflects on the impact of Swedenborg's ideas on both personal and collective levels. The conversation also touches on the future of communication within the new church and the importance of adapting to changing times.
takeaways
* Curtis shares his unexpected journey into Swedenborg's teachings and content creation.
* Mental health challenges have shaped his understanding of spirituality.
* Swedenborg's writings provide valuable insights into human well-being.
* The conversation around spirituality is evolving, with more interest in Swedenborg's ideas.
* Curtis believes in the power of Swedenborg's teachings to help people through grief.
* He highlights the importance of community and support in content creation.
* Curtis is focused on improving his communication skills as a key pivot.
* The need for flexibility in the new church is crucial for growth.
* Curtis expresses excitement about the future directions of his work.
Sound Bites
* "I never thought I would talk about religion."
* "You gotta love it for its own sake."
* "This is the cause I want to be involved with."
* “I want to start a fire.”'
* "I feel like I'm in a pivot time."
Chapters
00:00 The Call to Love: An Introduction
01:44 Curtis Childs: Journey into Swedenborgian Thought
05:28 Navigating Identity and Spirituality
09:18 The Power of Swedenborg's Teachings
12:55 Mental Health and Spirituality: A Personal Journey
18:00 Connecting Generations: The Impact of Swedenborg's Legacy
23:35 Exploring Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
26:10 Understanding Perception and Its Impact on Mental Health
27:31 The Intersection of Psychology and Spirituality
28:59 Curtis Childs' Journey in Ministry and Media
32:09 The Challenges of Video Creation and Content Engagement
38:15 The Importance of Community and Collaboration
45:30 Navigating Change and Finding Balance in Content Creation
Our Theme Music is “I Love it,” by Luke Concannon www.lukeconcannon.com
