Shows
The Growing EdgeEpisode 59 - Conversation about imothy Snyder’s book On Tyranny.Please join us for a conversation about historian Timothy Snyder’s book On Tyranny. Carrie and Parker discuss four of the twenty hallmarks of authoritarian governments addressed in Snyder’s clear and informative work. The book is relatively short, but chock-full of insights, stories and practical advice when navigating the very real challenges of our times. We’ll look at the large overarching symptoms of an existential threat to our democracy, but also how to bring it home and to focus upon the power we each have in our daily and personal lives for defending and preserving our most deeply held v...2025-03-271h 04
Cool Tunes For a Hot PlanetCool Tunes For a Hot Planet-Episode 7Episode 7, entitled New Moon, New Year, celebrates the December 30th “black moon,” and the impending new year, commencing with Michigander Carrie Newcomer’s video for the song “Sanctuary.” This beautiful song was inspired by a letter she received from her good friend, Quaker writer Parker Palmer, who was responding to her wanting to know what can we do now, when things seem so bleak. Parker’s response is both hard and easy — we do what we can, and when we falter, we need to find sanctuary and refuge where we can, in the beauty nature still retains, in friends and family, an...2025-02-2828 min
The Wonder Dome#156 A Hospitable Space (with Parker Palmer & Ariel Burger)Return guests Parker Palmer (author, activist, educator, and co-host of The Growing Edge) and Ariel Burger (scholar, musician, rabbi, and author of Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel’s Classroom) join Andy in sharing music, poetry, and reflections on humanity’s current moment with generous wisdom and insight. Parker and Ariel speak to what it means to be “awake” to the realities of hardship and suffering experienced by others; to be a witness rather than a spectator; and how through the compassionate creation of “hospitable spaces” we can engage with one another across even the most cavernous of divides. 2025-01-221h 09
The Growing EdgeEpisode 58 February 2025- Cutting LooseJoin Parker and Carrie for a conversation about William Stafford’s poem “Cutting Loose”. In this episode we explore the way that disillusionment or feeling lost can bring with it a powerful sense of reality, faithfulness and new direction. Parker and Carrie talk about their own experiences of feeling lost and listening to the sound of the genuine within them. In these challenging times, this is a poem that has much history and wisdom to share. We hope you’ll join the conversation by listening to the episode and commenting on our Substack Page at https://tinyurl.com/25tmtbhf.2025-01-2143 min
The Growing EdgeEpisode 57: Unexpected Hope in Improbable Actions: A New Conversation with John Paul LederachJoin Parker and Carrie for a conversation with Notre Dame’s Professor Emeritus of International Peacebuilding, John Paul Lederach, about his Pocket Guide for Facing Down a Civil War. This new booklet draws upon Lederach’s experience as a renowned peace practitioner who has mediated conflicts around the world. Here, he provides thoughtful, sometimes surprising ideas and advice on how to navigate, disrupt and mitigate the patterns that lead to deeper conflict, with attention to what is happening right now in U.S. politics.2024-09-291h 05
The Wonder DomeThrowback Thursday Ep: #104 Showing Up For Life (with Parker Palmer & Carrie Newcomer)This Throwback Thursday, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes featuring long-time collaborators Parker Palmer and Carrie Newcomer. Parker is a celebrated author, educator, and activist. He and Carrie, the award-winning singer and songwriter, have produced a number of stage productions centered around collective healing and reimagining of our democracy. They have co-written songs, turned poetry into music, and hose The Growing Edge podcast - which is a beautiful venue for discovery and growth. This conversation explores the many voices and cultures we’ll need to weave together if we're going to repair and restore the sacr...2024-09-261h 25
The Growing EdgeRebroadcast Episode 22 Revolutionary Love - A Conversation With Author:Activist Valarie KaurThis month Parker Palmer is taking a sabbatical. This is a re-broadcasting our June 1 2020 conversation with Author/Activist/Filmmaker Valarie Kaur. In this episode we discuss her book " See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love".
Two months after the 2016 election, Valarie spoke words that went viral, offering millions of people a lasting image of hope, the kind of hope we still desperately need today: “The future is dark. But what if this darkness is not the darkness of the tomb but the darkness of the womb?” Those words became the seeds of The Revolutionary Love Project, a move...2024-07-3151 min
Eavesdrop With Meena®Music & Resonance: Carrie NewcomerSinger-songwriter Carrie Newcomer shares her journey through music, poetry, and spirituality. Carrie discusses the profound impact of language and music, her inspirations, and the importance of balancing creation and performance. She also performs two of her songs, "You Can Do This Hard Thing" and "Book of Questions which will resonate deeply with listeners.
• The Growing Edge Podcast: Co-hosted by Carrie Newcomer and Parker Palmer. Available on Apple iTunes, Spotify, and at newcomerpalmer.com/podcast
• Carrie’s Substack Blog: https://carrienewcomer.substack.com/
• New Album - "A Great Wild Mercy":
• Available on all major music platforms.
• Website: http://carrienewcomer.com
• Soc...2024-07-251h 08
The Growing EdgeEpisode 56: “Toughness for a Gentle World”—A Conversation about May Sarton’s Poem “An Observation”.In this episode, Parker J. Palmer and Carrie Newcomer explore May Sarton’s poem, “An Observation.” Gardening is rich with metaphors for a well-lived life. Amend and prepare the soil. Plant the seeds, tend them, and weed out whatever impedes growth. Marvel at the process and share the harvest: we’re here to feed one another as well as ourselves. “An Observation” offers a less obvious metaphor: a well-lived life needs to be both gentle and strong, tender and fierce.
We hope you’ll join us for this rich conversation!2024-06-0148 min
The Ripples PondcastGetting Along BetterThis is the audio recording of our monthly Zoomy Zoom with the Team Ripples Patreon Community (https://www.patreon.com/RipplesGuy for more info). This month we followed up last month's "Why Can't We Get Along" talk on polarization with a deeper dive into some of the ideas and resources we touched on previously. The notes and links from the session are pasted below. If you'd prefer to watch the video replay you can watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pl3jRVBuN-sPEBBLE: Similarity Index https://www.allsides.com/similarity2024-05-0233 min
The Growing EdgeEpisode 55: A Conversation With Quaker Author Phillip GulleyIn this episode, Parker J. Palmer and Carrie Newcomer have a conversation with author/pastor/theologian Philip Gulley. Gulley is a pastor, an author, a source of wisdom and hope, and a clear and prophetic voice in progressive theology & spiritual activism in these challenging times. He has written 22 books, including the Harmony series recounting life in the eccentric Quaker community of Harmony, Indiana, several collections of essays including the best selling "Porch Talk", and a memoir called "I Love You, Miss Huddleston" which was a finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor. In addition, he has co-authored with James Mulholl...2024-03-2952 min
The Next Right Thing319: Finding Vocational Clarity with Parker J. PalmerToday we're continuing our conversations with people who have a lot of wisdom to offer when it comes to leaving rooms and finding new ones. My guest today is a writer, speaker and activist who focuses on issues in education, community, leadership, spirituality, and social change. He is the founder of the Center for Courage and Renewal and his name is Parker J. Palmer. He's the author of 10 books including one of my favorites, Let Your Life Speak. He's a member of the Religious Society of Friends, also known as the Quakers, and he lives together with...2024-03-1450 min
Thee Quaker PodcastQuaker Musician Carrie Newcomer Finds Songs in the SilenceAward-winning singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer has been called a “prairie mystic” for her meditative, poetic lyrics and folk-infused melodies. Carrie is also a thoughtful Quaker, whose faith comes through in her music, her poetry, and her podcast with author Parker Palmer.On this episode, Carrie shares how she came to Quakerism, how she writes from a place of meditation and silence, and, of course, she sings a few songs for us.Learn more about Carrie Newcomer on her website.Visit our episode page for discussion questions, a transcript, to comment, and more!From...2024-03-1338 min
The Growing EdgeEpisode 54: Revisiting A Sand County Almanac—A Conversation with Buddy HuffakerIn this episode Parker J. Palmer and Carrie Newcomer have a conversation with Buddy Huffaker,the Executive Director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation . We discuss the 75th anniversary of Aldos Leapold’s environmental classic A Sand County Almanac. the continuing work of the Leapold Foundation, the concept of Land Ethic, climate change and our individual and community work to heal of our natural world.2024-01-3158 min
The Growing EdgeRebroadcast of Episode 28 A Reason For Delight - A Conversation With Poet, Ross GayIn this episode Parker J. Palmer and Carrie Newcomer revisit favorite episode with Author/poet Ross Gay, who has touched countless readers with his books A catalogue of Unabashed Gratitude, Beholding, The Book of Delights, Incitements to Joy, AND The book of (more) delights”. This episode was recorded in December of 2020, and in it we discuss finding, noticing and experiencing delight as a daily practice, joy as an act of resistance and the importance of creating a connection to one another and to the natural world. We’re happy you’re here to join us for this "delightful" and thoughtful conver...2023-11-3049 min
The Pastor's Call PodcastEp. 60 - Shadrak Owuor, Grace Episcopal ChurchAbout the Guest: Shadrak grew up in an Anglican pastor's home in Kenya. Feeling the call to ministry in his teenage years, Shadrak began the process to pursue ministry. After attending higher education opportunities in America, and coming back after a loss in his family, Shadrak is now Priest-in-Charge at Grace Episcopal Church in Port Huron, MI where he serves the community and seeks to demonstrate his passion for Christ through pastoral care. Recommended Books: The Courage to Teach, Parker PalmerTaking Care, Carrie DoehringImages of Pastoral Care, Robert DykstraEpisode Sponsored by: Blue Water Free Me...2023-11-2940 min
The Growing EdgeEpisode 53: The Inner Roots of Democracy - Holding Difference & Prophetic VoiceIn this podcast Parker and Carrie wrestle with when and how we creatively hold the tension of our differences, and when differences are to grievous and do not yield to creative tension holding. We explore the meaning of “We Shall Over Come” and the power of prophetic voice in these challenging times for the democratic system. Carrie also sings the title track “A Great Wild Mercy” from her newest album.
For more about generative spaces for democracy and the common good check out Parker’s book "Healing The Heart of Democracy"2023-09-3050 min
Take HeartResourcing Yourself: Listening to Your Life as a CaregiverIn this first episode of season 4, Amy Brown kicks it off with a topic close to her heart: resourcing yourself as a caregiver. Amy shares her personal journey of learning to listen to her own life and prioritize self-care. Drawing from her experiences and the insights of women like Jennifer Dukes Lee and Taylor Elise Morrison, Amy explores the importance of asking ourselves questions like, “How am I contributing to my own chaos? Where am I feeling disconnected? Where do I need rest or space?” She suggests that finding moments of rest and joy, and letting go of the cons...2023-09-0512 min
Spirit in ActionGrowing Edge of Parker Palmer & Carrie NewcomerTwo great guests: the amazing thinker & author, Parker Palmer, is joined by the wonderful singer, songwriter, & world healer, Carrie Newcomer.2023-08-3155 min
The Growing EdgeEpisode 52 The Call To Public Service: A Conversation With Indiana State Senator Shelli YoderIn this podcast, Carrie and Parker speak with Indiana State Senator, Shelli Yoder. We explore together Shelli’s history and vocation in passionate public service, as well as reclaiming the word politics and politician, holding difference and finding common ground. In a time when the most extreme and strident voices are more likely to get media sound bytes, it was deeply moving and encouraging to be in conversation with someone doing faithful and thoughtful daily work in public service.
For more about creating generative spaces for democracy and the common good, check out Parker’s book Healing The Heart of Demo...2023-07-3153 min
The Growing EdgeEpisode 51: All Real Living Is Meeting: Is Community PossibleIn this podcast, Carrie and Parker talk about our individual and collective longing for safe and generative community. We’ve always been tugged between our western culture’s drive toward individuality and our desire for a meaningful life together. In this Post-covid time, people are a little rusty at being in community. We are also reassessing what meaningful community looks like and how we choose to participate. Carrie and Parker explore how meeting happens in the space between us, and how critical it is to be mindful about how we hold that space. Gathering in circles is an ancient practice that...2023-06-0150 min
The Growing EdgeEpisode 50: A Conversation with Scott Russell Sanders, author of “Small Marvels”In this podcast, Carrie and Parker talk with author Scott Russell Sanders about his new book Small Marvels. Scott’s work often explores the spirit of place, our relationship with the natural world, and creating communities of care and generosity rather a culture of fear and division. In this episode we talk about what inspired the stories in this lovely work, and share thoughts about the power of story and creativity. I hope you’ll join us for this heart-opening conversation.2023-03-3155 min
The Growing EdgeEpisode 49 An Exploration of The poem "Thanks, Robert Frost"Parker and Carrie hope you'll join us as we explore the poem "Thanks, Robert Frost" by David Ray. Inspired by the poem, we revisit parts of our history and talk about reframing the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and what has shaped us. Staying true to the facts as best we can, we explore ways of holding our experiences with greater compassion for others and ourselves, valuing all that we can learn when we’re able to befriend our own and others’ mistakes.2023-01-3156 minTake HeartChanging How We Persevere Through Life’s Challenges with Amy J. BrownHow do you keep going when life is relentlessly hard? What can be done to persevere when the diets, exercise, and ‘better’ systems have not succeeded? Listen in as Amy shares some well-earned advice she has learned through her journey. Learn to change HOW you persevere through the ups and downs of parenting a child with disabilities or behavioral needs. January 3, 2023; Ep. #109Show Links:Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer J.R. BriggsScripture mentioned: Psalm 13Show Takeaways: [3...2023-01-0311 min
The Growing EdgeEpisode 48 journalist/author/poet, Judith Valente and monk/poet/photographer Brother Paul QuenonJoin Parker J Palmer and Carrie Newcomer in conversation with journalist/author/poet, Judith Valente and monk/poet/photographer Brother Paul Quenon. We explore their friendship and creative collaborations as well as what it means to be intentional about “being” in a hectic and often uncertain world.
Brother Paul Quenon and Judith Valente are co-authors of the books: How to Be: a Monk and a Journalist Reflect on Living & Dying, Purpose & Prayer, Forgiveness & Friendship; and The Art of Pausing: Meditations for the Overworked and Overwhelmed.
You can read more about both authors at www.judithvalente.com and www.monks.org/monks...2022-11-3050 minTake HeartMisconceptions About Rest with Amy, Carrie, & SaraToday’s collaborative episode dives into the topic of rest. It's no secret that special needs moms are tired, not just physically but emotionally and spiritually too. We often deny our limits or go full speed for so long that we don't even recognize our need to stop. We assume this hurried pace is normal. Amy, Carrie, and Sara address five common misconceptions about rest and some ways to combat the hurried pace.November 22, 2022; Ep. 108Resources Mentioned:Parker Palmer, Let Your Life SpeakShow Takeaways: [2:37] I’ll have time to rest later...2022-11-2237 min
The Growing EdgeEpisode 47: Reunion—A Conversation with Jerry ColonnaIn this conversation with Jerry Colonna—co-founder and CEO of Reboot, an international executive coaching and leadership development firm—we range from childhood wounds and the way they can distort our adult roles, to race in America and role leaders can play in helping to build the Beloved Community. Jerry’s new book “Reunion: Leadership and the Journey to Belonging,” explores how being a better human means the ability to brave the truth and then actively engage in debunking myths of sameness, dismantling “othering" systems, and working directly for the wellbeing of the dispossessed and disinherited. Please join us for this timely, fasc...2022-09-3058 min
The Wonder Dome#104 Showing Up for Life (with Parker Palmer and Carrie Newcomer)Returning to The Wonder Dome this week are long-time collaborators Parker Palmer and Carrie Newcomer. Parker is the author of many books and a celebrated teacher and educator. Carrie is the writer of many songs and creator of many albums and she too is a celebrated educator and teacher in her own right. Together they have produced a number of stage productions centered around collective healing and reimagining and healing our democracy. They have co-written songs, turned poetry into music, and host The Growing Edge podcast - which is a...2022-08-041h 25
The Growing EdgeEpisode 46: Reforming What Was DeformedParker and Carrie talk about the challenges of staying in dialogue during divisive times, how to claim agency and the courage to stay engaged. Many of us were raised with a household rule to never talk about religion or politics in polite company. In this episode we unpack and reframe the true meaning of the words "religion" and "politics". We explore defining politics as not a listing of current events, but as a conversation about the holding of power and religion as not being about the particulars of theology, but as the quest for meaning. By redefining these terms, we might...2022-07-3156 min
The Growing EdgeEpisode 45 Podcast The Promise of Loving Kindness, The Problem of EvilIn this episode Parker & Carrie explore how to hold and acknowledge the presence of evil and great goodness in our world. In this honest and open hearted conversation they visit two poems that encourage reflection and insights on this topic, holding the tension of the heaviness we sometimes feel and what we can do in our daily lives to maintain perspective and hope.2022-05-3154 min
The Growing EdgeEpisode 44:Memory, Witness & Lessons From Elie Wiesel's Classroom - A Conversation With Ariel BurgerThis month on The Growing Edge podcast. Parker and Carrie talk with Ariel Burger, author, teacher, and artist whose work integrates spirituality, the arts and strategies for social change. An Orthodox-trained rabbi, Ariel received his Ph.D. in Jewish Studies and Conflict Resolution under Elie Wiesel. We explore topics from Ariel's book Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel's Classroom, his work as founding director and senior scholar of The Witness Institute, the nature of hope, navigating conflict, and the intersection of spirituality and art. It’s a conversation that stimulates reflection and inspires hope.2022-04-301h 00
The Growing EdgeEpisode 43:Rebroadcast -From Polarization to Healing: Conflict Transformation W/ John Paul LederachThis month on The Growing Edge Podcast we will be revisiting our Feb 2021 conversation with John Paul Lederach, Professor Emeritus of International Peace Building, and internationally respected expert in conflict transformation. John Paul describes the stages that lead to violence in a society, as well as the ways people heal and create communal networks of change. In a time when we are all deeply concerned about the tragic violence happening The Ukraine, The Growing Edge is revisiting this Powerful conversation about how hope for a more peaceful world happens in daily and personal ways as well as through community, national...2022-03-311h 05
Shift the PowerThe Circle of Trust with Parker J. Palmer Parker J. Palmer is a celebrated author, activist, and Founder of the Center for Courage & Renewal. Parker created the Circle of Trust® approach after a decade of living and learning at Pendle Hill, a Quaker community and retreat center. The approach is a social technology of time-tested principles and practices to create a safe space to nurture personal and professional integrity. In this episode, Tyler and Parker examine the critical role that building trust and modeling vulnerability play in driving us to our best outcomes, as individuals and organizations. Read the transcript for the episode here. ...2022-03-1537 min
The Growing EdgeEpisode 42 A Conversation With Poet Lynn Ungar - PandemicIn this episode, Carrie & Parker welcome poet Lynn Ungar. In 2020 Her poem "Pandemic" went viral and introduce her insightful, spiritual, wry and sometimes political writing to a wider audience. We consider two different poems and discuss the role of the artist in public discourse.2022-02-281h 01
The Growing EdgeEpisode 41: A Conversation With Theologian/Author Diana Butler BassIn this episode Parker & Carrie discuss spirituality, justice and living authentically with author and theologian, Diana Butler Bass. Diana talks about her history as a person of faith, the challenges for woman in theological settings, her writing and work with "The Cottage" as an ongoing exploration what it means to live a life of revolutionary love.2022-02-011h 06
The Growing EdgeEpisode 40: How To Fly - A Conversation With Author/Poet Barbara KingsolverIn this episode Carrie & Parker welcome Author/Poet Barbara Kingsolver. Together they discuss the natural world, mortality, the promise of ambiguity, making, the writer's life, knitting and her new book of luminous poetry How To Fly (in Ten Thousands Easy Lessons.2021-12-3152 min
The Wonder Dome#80 Until Now (with Carrie Newcomer)Those of you who have been listening for a while know that I care deeply about the creative process. About the ways in which insight can come to us from the most unexpected places. One of our opportunities as human beings is to show up for whatever life brings. Carrie Newcomer is someone who embodies that as fully as any of us might hope for.Carrie is a songwriter, a recording artist, a performer, and an educator. She co-hosts the podcast, The Growing Edge, with one of my mentors and heroes Parker Palmer. She makes...2021-12-091h 09
The Growing EdgeEpisode 39:The Gift of Presence with Poet & Educator Naomi Shihab Nye (rebroadcast)This month on The Growing Edge podcast we revisit our December 2018 conversation with poet Naomi Shihab Nye. Naomi has received numerous honors for her work, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Book Critics Circle, and the Isabella Gardner Poetry Award. She is currently the Poetry Foundation’s Young People’s Poet Laureate. In this conversation we read and discuss her luminous poem, “Shoulders” and explore the gift of being present to the small moments of our lives. We loved this conversation, and still treasure the life-giving ideas and stories that came up as we talked. Warmest Greetings of the season fro...2021-11-3059 min
The Growing EdgeEpisode 39:The Gift of Presence with Poet & Educator Naomi Shihab NyeThis month on The Growing Edge podcast we revisit our December 2018 conversation with poet Naomi Shihab Nye. Naomi has received numerous honors for her work, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Book Critics Circle, and the Isabella Gardner Poetry Award. She is currently the Poetry Foundation’s Young People’s Poet Laureate. In this conversation we read and discuss her luminous poem, “Shoulders” and explore the gift of being present to the small moments of our lives. We loved this conversation, and still treasure the life-giving ideas and stories that came up as we talked. Warmest Greetings of the season fro...2021-11-3059 minTake HeartLiving In the Land of What If: Dealing With FearSometimes, fear disguises itself as other emotions, and it’s important to recognize it for what it is. Fear of the future can paralyze us. In this episode, Sara, Amy, and Carrie dive into recognizing fear, dealing with fear of the future, and some practices for living led by God’s love.November 23, 2021; Ep. 62Timestamps & Key Topics:0:21- Intro1:03- Pushed By Fear Or Led By Love3:37- Recognizing Fear9:45- Fear of the Future17:26- Don’t Live in “What If” Land20:20- Led By Love25:03- Ground Level Practices27:35- A Prayer29:41- OutroEpisode Lin...2021-11-2330 min