Shows
Loving the ImperfectWriting Retreat: Healthy Rhetoric featuring the work of Lech WalesaSend us a textHello and welcome! This is a virtual writing retreat featuring the work of Lech Walesa. Rhetoric is everywhere, from what we read to what we hear and see. In this retreat we will work with a few different meditations, from artwork, to the work of Cicero, to the Gospel of John, then we will follow the patterns of history in Poland from 1938-1989. The hope is that through these exercises we will begin to see how we process the information given to us on a daily basis, and by the end of this...
2026-01-281h 11
Loving the ImperfectWhat is the Divine Feminine? Featuring the work of Mirabai StarrSend us a text Today we'll talk about the work of Mirabai Starr, an Inter-spiritual teacher, writer, and translator of the mystics. Mirabai is a well-known teacher of the divine feminine. She has written several books and her translations of St. John of the Cross's poetry as well as St. Teresa of Avila and St. Julian of Norwich's work won her critical acclaim. She is well-versed in the way of all things holy and feminine and wishes to empower women with the simple truth: that we are loved and holy just as we are. St. Ph...
2025-12-0325 min
Loving the ImperfectModern-Day Prophets: Featuring Spoken Word Poet Kae Tempest with Brianne & ErinSend us a textWelcome to season 3 of Loving the Imperfect!Thank you for being patient with me over my long break. Join me this season along with my kindergarten classmate, Erin Grossi, as we introduce and discuss some modern-day prophets, people who, we believe, have at least one thing in common: the prophetic voice. The purpose of this season is to introduce listeners to some new artists and writers. We hope the selection we have for you will inspire you to read, write, and create to be a force of love...
2025-11-0550 min
Loving the ImperfectSeason 2 Finale: What Blessings May Come in the Mess of Life with Terry GondaSend us a textHello and welcome to Loving The Imperfect. Today we'll hear from Terry Gonda, a devout Catholic, who was fired from her position as a music director at a local Catholic church because of her marriage to a woman. Join us today as she shares her story and we hear how a tragic situation like this can evolve and enrich a person's spiritual life. When this story broke in the summer of 2020, it made the pages of both the New York Times and the Associated Press as well as several local news a...
2025-04-231h 02
Loving the ImperfectFather Eric Williams: A Life in the PriesthoodSend us a textToday we'll hear from Father Eric Williams, the priest of St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Rochester. He's going tell us about his journey being an Episcopal priest. This interview is more of a conversation, so you'll hear a lot more of me in this interview, and it's a longer interview than most of my others.So, I hope you enjoy this episode, and you get a lot out of it.Thank you for joining me today.#bible #biblestudy #priest #religious #retreat #prayer #god #jesus...
2025-04-0955 min
Loving the ImperfectPositive Experiences in VietnamSend us a text Today we'll hear from 90-year-old Dr. Daniel White, a local physician in this area, well known and well-liked by everyone.He was drafted into the Vietnam War as part of a MILPHAT team and spent some time in Vietnam with the civilians.Unlike most men who were drafted, Dr. White had a positive experience, and the friendships he made with the civilians has lasted a lifetime. Thank you for joining me.For more information about me and my work, please visit www.lovingtheimperfect.com...
2025-03-2612 min
Loving the ImperfectA High School Student's Journey with All Things CelestialSend us a textToday we will hear from a 17-year-old local high school student who wishes to remain anonymous. He is very interested in space, and as of right now, he wants to be an astrophysicist. Despite all you'll hear in this interview, this student is still afraid that he will not get into college. What's really inspiring about his story, apart from his tremendous knowledge about space, is that he struggled in the first part of his high school career with his grades. He says that he was a blow off an...
2025-03-1227 min
Loving the ImperfectGiving Back with Dr. Rick MaibauerSend us a textWelcome back to Loving the Imperfect. Today, we'll hear a story from Dr. Rick Maibauer. He is the first person to perform a total joint replacement in Ghana, West Africa. So, we're going to hear his story today. Another exercise, again, in deep listening. This is a good exercise for us. I hope you enjoy this story. Thank you for joining me. For more information about me and my work, please visit www.brianneturczynski.com or www.lovingtheimperfect.com
2025-02-2616 min
Loving the ImperfectA Lifetime of Service with Ged YoungmanSend us a textHello and welcome to this week's episode! Born during World War II in England, Ged Youngman tells the story of her life as a nurse attending both dying children and healthy babies as a midwife. Later in the United States, she spent much of her time helping her church and overseeing many ministries. She has attended my parish, St. Philip's Episcopal Church, for 35 years. For this reason, I have known her practically my whole life. Growing up, she was essential to my spiritual life because she was involved in everything, from Vacation Bible...
2025-02-1216 min
Loving the Imperfect* Advent Special * Blessings from Kenya: A Mother's Love and SacrificeSend us a textHello and welcome to Loving the Imperfect. Today we are hearing a story from Kenny Asewe. Kenny is the founder of At Home Music here in Rochester, he is going to tell us a really touching story about his mother, how she passed away, and some details of her funeral. He will also share with us three ways that God showed him and reassured him that she was in a better place and that she was at peace, which is something Kenny said that he really needed to know in order to be...
2024-12-1827 min
Loving the ImperfectFeaturing Liturgical Music Composer Gregory NorbetSend us a textToday we will hear from respected music composer, spiritual leader, singer and retreat director, Gregory Norbet, who also spent 21 years as a Benedictine monk at the Weston Priory in Vermont. I'm honored to be able to speak with him today. I hope you enjoy this interview.You can visit his website at www.gregorynorbet.org .Songs on this episode: Choir of Angels and Hosea, both written and performed by Gregory Norbet. If you stick around at the end of this interview, Gregory has been generous enough to al...
2024-12-0440 min
Loving the ImperfectThe SS Edmund Fitzgerald: Featuring Michigan Shipwreck Explorer, Ric MixterSend us a textThe SS Edmund Fitzgerald was a tanker that sank in Lake Superior during a storm on November 10th, 1975. It was carrying 29 crewmen and 26,000 tons of taconite pellets. According to Mr. Mixter, the storm that evening wasn't the worst to hit the Great Lakes, but the ‘Fitz’ took on seven different storms that year and Captain McSorley overestimated the reliability of his ship, thinking it could withstand anything. Unfortunately, on that fateful night, the tanker sank so quickly no mayday was sounded; it took all 29 crewmen with it. Mysteriously, not a single body was foun...
2024-11-2030 min
Loving the ImperfectFeaturing World-class Figure Skater, Nancy Jones & Romans 8:38-39Send us a textHello and welcome to Loving the Imperfect. Today we will speak to world-class figure skater Nancy Jones about her decision to quit skating for the U. S. team with the faith that God was leading her in a different direction. In 1961 the plane carrying her teammates to the World Competition crashed in Brussels. Join me as we talk to Nancy about this event and how God has since been with her all her life. For more information about me and my work, please visit www.BrianneTurczynski.com or www.Lo...
2024-11-0614 min
Loving the ImperfectKeeping the Faith: Featuring Rad Jones, Retired Secret Service Agent to Six US Presidents & Isaiah 41:10Send us a textWelcome to the first episode for Season Two of Loving the Imperfect, a show for seekers of deeper contemplation. I'm your host Brianne Turczynski. For 10 years, I've been studying offerings from holy teachers and holy texts. I'm a journalist who has listened to the stories of many people throughout the years, and I continue to be captivated by the stories of how God touches the lives of us ordinary people, how God nudges and directs us, either by closing doors or opening them, making the mystery of coincidence, more of a m...
2024-10-2326 min
Loving the ImperfectResounding Praise: Season One Finale with Psalm 150Send us a textThank you for joining me again for season one's finale episode. Today I'll read Psalm 150, the very last psalm in the book of Psalms and I will share why I started this podcast. I will take a break for a few weeks while I work on some writing projects. Tune back in around the end of September or the beginning of October. Media to look at this episode:Take a look at the Sistine Chapel painting, The Creation of Adam. "The Creation of Adam" by Michelangelo - An...
2024-07-1812 min
Loving the ImperfectEntering the Mystical Path: Spain's Golden Age & W. Somerset Maugham with Psalm 143Send us a textIn this episode, we explore what the beginning of a mystical path can look and feel like. I am speaking from my own experience, so please know that your experience might be different from mine. My journey began when I read W. Somerset Maugham's book Don Fernando, a history of Spain's Golden Age. In this book, he introduces some of the most important mystics of all time: St. Theresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, Luis de Leon, and the artist El Greco. This episode is our second to last episode in...
2024-07-1115 min
Loving the ImperfectMantras: An Aid in Meditation with Psalm 136Send us a textIn this episode, we explore different mantras that can be used in meditation and how meditation might be useful for us as our contemplative nature grows. This episode includes a reading from Psalm 136.Media mentioned in this episode:Thich Nhat Hanh: Mindful Meditationhttps://youtu.be/J62F0Y6PKesCenter for Action and ContemplationCenter for Action and Contemplation (cac.org)Turning To the Mystics with James FinleyTurning to the Mystics — CAC Podcast with James Finley #pod...
2024-07-0417 min
Loving the ImperfectApproaching Our Past: Explaining Sankofa & What It Can Teach Us with Psalm 129Send us a textWhat do we need to retrieve from our past so we can advance in peace, likewise, what do we need to address or deal with from our past to promote a healthy future? Sankofa is a word that when translated means return and fetch it. It is an Adinkra (pictogram) symbol of the Asante people of Ghana. With the passing of Juneteenth, I wanted to briefly discuss Sankofa and what it can teach us along with the lessons of King Hezekiah of the Old Testament (who may have authored th...
2024-06-2714 min
Loving the ImperfectPrayers without Words with a Reading from a Poem by Mary Oliver and Psalm 122Send us a textHello and welcome back!Today's episode includes a reading from Psalm 122 and a poem from Mary Oliver called INVITATION. Did you know that sometimes we pray without knowing it? Not only that but there are many different ways to pray without using words. Join me as we discuss the myriad different ways we pray. What are some ways that you pray without words? Books/Film mentioned in this episode:Red Bird a collection of poems by Mary OliverHarold and Maude--1971...
2024-06-2016 min
Loving the ImperfectNature and the Ego with C. G. Jung and Psalm 115Send us a textThank you for joining me on Loving the Imperfect! Lately, I've been reading The Earth Has a Soul which is a collection of work from C. G. Jung (pronounced Yoo-ng. I realized my pronunciation in this episode is slightly off--I said 'Young'. I'm sorry for that). It's changing the way I think about our society, so I thought I would share a couple of points Jung made more than half a century ago about America specifically, our culture, our false notion of progress, and our speedy technological advances. He begs us to g...
2024-06-1314 min
Loving the ImperfectEnemies are a Delusion with Psalm 108Send us a textThank you for joining me again this week! Can an ‘us versus them’ mentality ever be helpful for human relationships? What do you think? My answer to this question is included in this brief episode along with a reading from Psalm 108! Please consider subscribing or sharing. Join me next week for Psalm 115!If you’d like to give me your opinion on this question, drop me a line! Send me some Fan mail or drop me a message on Instagram or email me via my website by clicking this link: L...
2024-06-0609 min
Loving the ImperfectSilencing the "Wicked" in the Land with Psalm 101Send us a textPsalm 101 is a Psalm from David written at the beginning of his reign. At this time David is unsure of himself as a worthy leader. I think we all feel like this sometimes, whether it's a leadership role through parenthood, our occupations, or even how we lead ourselves, we all have moments when we feel unworthy of the task. In this episode, I will show you a guiding light to help us silence all the wicked in the land, the voices of doubt and negativity. With some advice from spiritual teachers Ram Dass a...
2024-05-3009 min
Loving the ImperfectWhen and How to Leave a Toxic Environment Like a Mystic with Psalm 94Send us a textHello and Welcome to Loving the Imperfect!!Sometimes it can be hard to tell if you're experiencing a toxic environment. The toxicity can disguise itself and sometimes you've been existing in it for so long you can no longer read the signs. Join me as Psalm 94 guides us into this topic, and I tell you a little of my own experience leaving a toxic work environment. Books and Episodes mentioned in this episode:Episode 4: How to Deal with BulliesWitness: What I learned from El...
2024-05-2313 min
Loving the ImperfectHow to Tell If the Spirit is Nudging You with Psalm 87Send us a textHow can you tell if the Holy Spirit is nudging you? In this episode along with a reading from the 87th Psalm, I'll tell the story of Nicodemus from the Book of John Chapter 3. This is one of my favorite scenes from the Bible, and it's one scene that brings to us the evidence that Jesus was a mystic and suggested that Nicodemus look at the holy teachings through a mystical lens. Books Mentioned in This Episode:The Book of JohnFor more information about me a...
2024-05-1620 min
Loving the ImperfectCan Ordinary People be Holy? with Psalm 80Send us a textHello and thank you for tuning in! I'm Brianne Turczynsk, a teacher, an author/journalist, a filmmaker, and a student of mysticism in the Christian tradition. Mysticism is the part of all religions and practices that unifies all people and practices, breaking down the walls around our beliefs built by religious dogma. Mysticism bypasses dogma and invites everyone to the same table. In this episode, we cover Psalm 80 and discuss what it is to be holy, and how we can walk daily carrying the truth of our holiness and that of everyone we...
2024-05-0916 min
Loving the ImperfectMystical Islam and Rumi with Psalm 73Send us a textWelcome to Loving the Imperfect! On this week's episode, I will briefly discuss Sufism and Rumi in this episode since Psalm 73 reminded me so much of some of Rumi's poems. For those of you who don't know what Sufism is, this would be a good episode to introduce you to one of the most mystical orders of Islam. It is an episode that reminds us to love each other and ourselves just the way we are. Blessings, BrianneBooks mentioned in this episode:Sufism: Transformation of...
2024-05-0224 min
Loving the ImperfectThe Parting of the Red Sea: Myth, Miracles, and Message with Psalm 66Send us a textIn this episode, we discuss the Red Sea crossing and the scientific evidence that proves it may have occurred. It's an episode that asks us to notice the miracles in our lives and the Spirit of Love's subtle nudges to glean meaning from everyday life. Books mentioned in this episode:Epic of GilgameshAngels in My Hair by Lorna ByrneNo, really: There is a scientific explanation for the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus - The Washington PostF...
2024-04-2519 min
Loving the ImperfectThe Story of a Cure: Anxiety, Depression, and Panic with David and Psalm 59Send us a textIf talking about these topics is a trigger for you, please skip this episode. In this episode, I'll take you into the wilderness with me and talk more about my experience with the anxiety and panic attacks I endured for seven years. I will share the story of how I cured myself of them in the hope that this episode might help anyone out there listening who is dealing with this too. In Psalm 59, David speaks to God of his fright because his house is being watched by Saul...
2024-04-1821 min
Loving the ImperfectFinding Solace in the Garden with Vita Sackville-West and Psalm 52Send us a textIn this tenth episode, I introduce you to Vita Sackville-West, owner and creator of Sissinghurst Castle Gardens in Kent, England. She was my muse and the voice in my head for many years when I was doing a lot of gardening. I'm happy to tell you a little about her in this episode and share a reading from one of her garden books about olive trees. In Psalm 52, David compares himself to an olive tree, so we will talk a little about olive trees and hear about their appearance in the holy texts...
2024-04-1123 min
Loving the ImperfectFinding Your True People with Psalm 45Send us a textThank you for joining me today. Please consider sharing or subscribing! In this episode I talk about leaving the crowd, our comfort zones, to seek what the Spirit is calling you to do. It also includes a brief teaching on the art of detachment. I mention several examples from scripture that speak to this. This episode also includes a reading from Psalm 45 which inspired the subject for this episode, Finding Your True People. Books mentioned in this episode:Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh ...
2024-04-0426 min
Loving the ImperfectLoving Pontius Pilate with Psalm 38Send us a textAs Easter is approaching I thought we should take a closer look at Pontius Pilate, a man with whom Jesus is forever entwined. This episode offers a different approach to looking at those embedded in the system of unjust decision-making throughout the world and suggests that we muster up compassion in the most unexpected corners, breaking down our dualist patterns. It also includes a reading from Psalm 38. Books mentioned in this episode:Falling Upward by Richard RohrThank you so much for listening. Please consider sharing o...
2024-03-2824 min
Loving the ImperfectKing David and Sappho of Lesbos: A Happy Comparison with Psalm 31Send us a textThis episode contains a reading of Psalm 31, a psalm that brings to mind the crucifixion of Jesus. I will share a reading from the poetry of Sappho, a Greek poetess of the year 600 B.C.E. I will compare her work to David's and share some history of this wonderful poet. Later in the episode, we will be blessed by the Mission Sisters of the Holy Spirit. A few years ago I conducted several interviews with these amazing ladies and share with you a special moment from my last meeting with them before CO...
2024-03-2130 min
Loving the ImperfectCeltic Spirituality with Psalm 24Send us a text Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of you who celebrate. We are going to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with some readings of John O'Donohue and end with a Celtic blessing. We dive into Psalm 24 and talk about God knocking on our ancient doors. I'll cover a brief history of St. Patrick and reveal the mystical ways of Celtic Spirituality. Today's show is dedicated to all of you missing your homeland. Thank you for joining me. Books mentioned in this episode: To Bless the Space Between Us by John O'DonohueA...
2024-03-1426 min
Loving the ImperfectNavigating Stormy Seas with Psalm 17Send us a textIn this week's episode, I share a reading from Psalm 17 and we get to know the Psalmist David as an author, poet, and fellow sailor navigating the stormy seas of life. I'll take one verse from Psalm 17: "Show me the wonders of your great love," and I'll suggest that, though David is asking this of God, we ask this of each other. In other words, how are we living with passion? Thank you for joining me!For more information about me and my work, please visit...
2024-03-0716 min
Loving the ImperfectHow to Deal with Bullies: Psalm 10Send us a textHow do we deal with a bully? In this episode, I talk about compassion while bringing in my own story along with the work of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, the late Archbishop Desmund Tutu of South Africa, and Ariel Burger. For further reading check out The Book of Joy edited by Douglas Abrams and Witness: What I Learned from Elie Wiesel's Classroom by Ariel Burger. Thank you for tuning in!!For more information about me and my work, please visit www.BrianneTurczynski...
2024-02-2919 min
Loving the ImperfectBreaking our Hearts with Psalm 3Send us a textHow do we see God in our enemies? How do we move toward peace with someone who has done something atrocious? Join me for a little reflection on breaking our hearts for peace in today's episode. For more information about me and my work, please visit www.BrianneTurczynski.com or www.LovingTheImperfect.com#podcast #spirituality #episcopal #history #prayer #love #ministry #interviews #christianity #contemplative #meditation #Bible #Bible reading #religion #Bible study For more information about me and m...
2024-02-2312 min
Loving the ImperfectThe Company We Keep with Psalm 1Send us a textHave you been traumatized by religion? In today's episode, I'll tell my personal story about religious trauma and the impact it had on my life. I'll also read the first Psalm as we begin our journey through the Psalms together. Each week I will read every seventh Psalm with a story from my personal experiences to go with it. Thank you for listening! For more information about me and my work please visit www.brianneturczynski.com or www.lovingtheimperfect.com...
2024-02-2317 min
Loving the ImperfectPilot: Loving the Imperfect with Psalm 47Send us a textThis is our pilot episode on Psalm 47. Why start there? Because that's where I happened to be in my daily psalm readings. This, completely off-the-cuff, and unrehearsed episode explores the creative heart and gives listeners a taste of what's to come in future episodes. It will only get more imperfect from here. Thank you for listening!#podcast #spirituality #episcopal #history #prayer #love #ministry #interviews #christianity #contemplative #meditation #Bible #Bible reading #religion #Biblestudy #christianmystic #mysticismFor more information about me and my work, please visit www.B...
2024-02-2111 min
Podcast Detroit - All ShowsHamtramck Now And Then – Episode 3 – Lost PoletownInterview of author Brianne Turczynski about her book "Detroit's Lost Poletown."
2021-02-2427 min