Shows
Ethics on CallRecent Theological Reflection on Mental HealthIn the new episode of Ethics on Call, hosts Dan Daly and Tom Bushlack discuss recent work in theology on mental health. They discuss theologically informed ways of looking at grief, trauma, depression, and anxiety. The work they consider contends that mental health disorders and suffering are often both medical and existential conditions. You can find the articles and books discussed in this episode listed below:James Keenan, “Grief as Epiphanous,” Theological StudiesStephanie C. Edwards, “Christian Ethics, Trauma, and Dust in the Blood: Moving Toward Enfleshed Counter-Memory,” Journal of Moral TheologyJessica Cob...
2025-09-2350 minEthics on CallAntiqua et nova and Catholic Health: AI, the Human Person, and Human FlourishingIn the latest episode of Ethics on Call, hosts Dan Daly, Executive Director of the Center for Theology and Ethics in Catholic Health, and Tom Bushlack, Senior Director of the Center, discuss Antiqua et nova, a January 2025 doctrinal note on artificial intelligence issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Dicastery for Culture and Education.Dan and Tom discuss the document's purpose and main arguments and connect it to Catholic health.
2025-08-1951 minEthics on CallPope Francis's LegacyIn episode two of Ethics on Call, hosts Dan Daly, Executive Director of the Center for Theology and Ethics in Catholic Health, and Tom Bushlack, Senior Director of the Center, discuss the theological and ethical legacy of Pope Francis in light of his recent passing.
2025-07-221h 00Ethics on CallHealth Care Access for AllWelcome to Ethics on Call, the official podcast of the Center for Theology & Ethics in Catholic Health! In their first episode, hosts Dan Daly, Executive Director of the Center, and Tom Bushlack, Senior Director of the Center, discuss the Center's first official position statement, Access for All: A Reaffirmation of the Theological and Ethical Principles in Support of Health Care for All Persons.ResourcesRead the Center's first position statement here.Learn more about the Center at www.theologyandethics.org.
2025-06-2041 min
Inside OutExperiencing a Lightbulb Moment! with Tom BushlackTom Bushlack, PhD, Senior Director of the Center of Theology & Ethics in Catholic Health, joins Inside Out to discuss how his spirituality impacts those he works with and the difference between spiritual practice in the left and right sides of the brain.
Producer's Note: At the time of recording, Bushlack served as the Vice President of Mission and Formation at Mercy in St. Louis, Mo.
2025-03-2154 min
Contemplate This!Overcome the "Demon" of Work with the Desert Mothers & FathersThe Desert Fathers & Mothers of Egypt in the 4th century BCE recognized how the constant drive to always be working can be like a "demon," destroying our physical, emotional, and spiritual health and relationships. In this live talk and guided meditation we'll reflect together on their wisdom to seek balance in our fast-paced world.
2022-05-1749 min
Lift-Off With Energizing Results085-Tom BushlackWho’s your ideal client and what’s the biggest challenge they face?What are the common mistakes people make when trying to solve that problem?What is one valuable free action that our audience can implement that will help with that issue?What is one valuable free resource that you can direct people to that will help with that issue?What’s the one question I should have asked you that would be of great value to our audience?When was the last time you experienced Goosebumps with your family and why?Tom's FREE MasterclassGet in tou...
2021-11-2511 min
Bowing To Elephants Podcast004 - Opening the Door to the SilenceMy Guest, Tom Bushlack, is the World’s First and only Contemplative Consultant Coach. Tom helps busy professionals eliminate feeling overwhelmed, improve focus and productivity, connect with their purpose guided by divine wisdom. He is the host of the podcast “Contemplate This!”, which features interviews with leaders and teachers of contemplative practices. What you will Hear/Learn [0:00] - Introduction to the show. [0:26] - Introduction to this episode’s guest. [3:20] - Find out how my previous interaction with Tom made me change my childhood perspective about religion and spirituality [05:52...
2021-06-2948 min
Contemplate This!Episode 31: Interview with Matt Mumber, M.D.Matthew Mumber, M.D., practices medicine as a board-certified radiation oncologist with the Harbin Clinic in Rome. After entering private practice, Matt attended and graduated from Dr. Andrew Weil’s fellowship in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona, where he met Rachel Remen and attended trainings on facilitation of physician-patient retreat groups through Commonweal.
Subsequently, Matt attended and graduated from a 2-year program on spirituality at the Living School for Action and Contemplation through the Rohr Institute, where he studied with Jim Finley. An author of academic and lay press texts on the subject of healing, Matt has edited an...
2020-11-211h 09
Contemplate This!Episode 30 - Interview with Toni StogdillToni Stogdill is a Realtor and the Director of Communications for the Master Investor's Tribe (St. Louis, MO). She recently participated in our "Centering for Wisdom" group coaching program and shares her journey of contemplative transformation.
Toni is a real-life busy, overwhelmed, stressed out professional like many of you who has integrated a daily centering practice into her life (she knew absolutely nothing about contemplative prayer before we met). That has helped her to get crystal clear about the core purpose and intention God has give her to live, and she's experienced improved her relationships with her two teenage daughters...
2020-11-0553 min
Contemplate This!Episode 29: Interview with Julius AnthonyJulius B. Anthony is Founder and President of St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature and The Believe Project. He has enjoyed more than 20 years as an early childhood and elementary education professional and has served as a classroom teacher, principal, director of curriculum and insruction, and adjunct professor. Throughout his career, Julius has enjoyed writing motivational poems and short stories for his students and serving as a fierce advocate of literacy-based PK-12 education. In October of 2014, he published his first children’s book entitled “Me! Ten Poetic Affirmations” which debuted at the National Black Child Development Institute’s annual con...
2020-08-091h 31
Contemplate This!Episode 28: Interview with Ben GioiaBen Gioia (“joya”) is a two-time best-selling author, speaker, and creator of the Influence With A Heart® Method. If you have a BIG IDEA, Ben will teach you how to write your #1 best selling book — in 5 weeks — and position yourself for a media explosion (and more) in 3 months.
Ben helped a Fortune 100 company shift culture, trained leaders at Stanford, launched the world's biggest magazine, and created video game with MIT to transform employee resilience and customer experience.
Ben’s signature talk, The Buddha Smile, shows people how to quit suffering. His teachings are used by 30,000+ people around the world.
The foundation...
2020-06-161h 06
Contemplate This!Episode 27 - Interview with Dr. Robert WaldingerDr. Waldinger has one of the most viewed Ted Talks of all time, with over 100 million views – it’s called “What Makes for a Good Life?” Just to give you a teaser, he gives us the answer to what makes for happiness in just two words, within the first five minutes of the show! Bob Waldinger is also a clinical psychiatrist at Harvard and the current Director of the Harvard Study on Adult Development. The study began in 1938, it’s now in its 83rd year, it is the longest running research study ever conducted. To top it all off, Bob is also a...
2020-05-091h 02
Contemplate This!Episode 26 - Interview with Nick ZolfoFor this episode I am your co-host, along with Nick Zolfo, the host of the podcast “Catching ZZ’s: A Millennial’s Guide to Mindfulness.” Nick and I were introduced by a mutual colleague, and we realized that we have a very similar purpose behind our podcasts – which is to highlight the wisdom of others’ spiritual practices and share it with as many people as possible. Since we are so aligned, we decided to make this a co-interview, just taking turns interviewing each other about meditation practices, podcasts, and how we apply our practice to daily life and sharing our passion with...
2020-04-281h 13Contemplate This!Episode 25 - Interview with Keith KristichKeith Kristich lives in Buffalo, NY with his partner and wife, Colleen. He’s a self-described lover of nature, good conversation, and am often found with a book, banjo, or guitar in hand. In his own words, he says “My ultimate aim is to help people slow down and reconnect with their deepest and truest self.”
Two things stand out about this interview. First, Keith discovered meditation “by accident.” Of course, nothing happens by accident, but he started his journey just by being naturally drawn into silence after listening to music. Once he realized what he was doing, he started to explore...
2020-04-0354 minContemplate This!“Centering-In-Place” - An Invitation to Open Your Heart During Coronavirus Social IsolationIn this special episode I want to reflect on our global connection to each other, and to invite each of you to open your heart as you engage the fears and anxieties that we’re feeling right now during the coronavirus pandemic.
2020-03-2508 minContemplate This!Episode 24 - Interview with Ven. Kusala BhikshuVen. Kusala Bikshu is an American-born monk ordained in the Zen Tradition of Vietnam and head monk at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in the Korea town section of Los Angeles. Kusala is a member of the Buddhist-Roman Catholic Dialogue of Los Angeles and MID – Monastic Inter-religious Dialogue, a national organization of Buddhists and Catholics. I was introduced to Kusula through Fr. William Skudlarek, who is a Benedictine monk at St. John’s Abbey and has been active in inter-monastic dialogue.
2020-03-151h 16
Contemplate This!Episode 23 - Interview with Mag DimondMag Dimond is the award-winning author of Bowing to Elephants: Tales of a Travel Junkie (which hit #1 in 5 countries on the day it launched and just won Best Indie Biographies & Memoirs from Kirkus). Her book has been compared to EAT, PRAY, LOVE in professional reviews and has received accolades from many thought leaders in the mindfulness space, including Jack Kornfield. It’s full of stories of her travels around the world, self-discovery, healing, food, and so much more.
Mag has been a world traveler since age 11 — living with her mother in Italy for 3 years — and has traveled the globe. Once a 10-y...
2020-02-241h 19
Contemplate This!Episode 22: Interview with Fr. Bill Sheehan, OMIFr. Bill dives deep into the practice of Centering Prayer right from the first question in this episode. Jim McElroy, my guest on [episode 19](https://thomasjbushlack.com/episode19/), mentioned Fr. Bill Sheehan as a frequent retreat leader in the 12-Step Contemplative Outreach community, and he suggested inviting Bill to be a guest. This was sage advice!
Fr. Bill is a priest and a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (O.M.I.), and has a Masters Degree in Formative Spirituality from Duquesne University. He has ministered to clergy as Director of Ministry to Priests, and he has broad...
2020-01-141h 03
Contemplate This!Episode 21: Interview with Fr. Columba Stewart, OSBFr. Columba Stewart is kind of like a cross between a Benedictine monk and Indiana Jones!
Since becoming the executive director of the Hill Monastic Manuscript Library (HMML) at St. John’s Abbey in 2003, Columba has traveled extensively throughout the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and India, cultivating relationships with communities possessing manuscript collections from the early medieval to early modern periods.
A graduate of Harvard, Yale, and Oxford universities, Father Columba has published extensively in his research field of early Christian monasticism and received numerous grants and fellowships in support of his scholarship.
Father Columba and HMML ha...
2019-11-301h 14
Contemplate This!Episode 20: Interview with Michael Poffenberger**Michael Poffenberger** is the Executive Director of the Center for Action & Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and he is part of a younger generation of leaders seeking to integrate contemplative practices with compassionate social action. Michael was inspired in college by spending time with Saint Mother Teresa and her sisters of charity in Kolkata, India, and then learning about the work of Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker Movement, and the writings of Thomas Merton on contemplation and social action. Prior to arriving at the CAC as executive director, Michael helped to found the Uganda Conflict Action Network, which is...
2019-10-021h 00
Contemplate This!Episode 18: Interview with Dr. Jill WenerAfter 10+ years practicing Internal Medicine in a busy urban hospital, Dr Jill Wener knows firsthand what severe stress and burnout feel like. In the midst of her own burnout, she was introduced to [Conscious Health Meditation](www.meditationinmedicine.com), and it had a profound effect on her resilience and reactivity. Like many healthcare professionals, Jill was initially skeptical of spiritual practices. However, as she learned the science behind Conscious Health Meditation, she embraced the training and marveled at the results of the practice. After 2 years of advanced coursework, Jill completed her 3-month teacher training in Rishikesh, India in April, 2016.
As...
2019-07-271h 29
Contemplate This!Episode 17: Interview with Rev. Dr. Sarah BachelardThere are some real delights waiting for you in this episode - especially when Sarah reflects on St. Paul's writings about no longer thinking about ourselves and our egos - I found this so liberating from the way we tend to focus on ourselves and only up making our suffering worse. We also sort of go off script toward the end, when Sarah asks me about living in the current climate in the United States today as a committed contemplative. I hope you'll find some encouragement in our exchange and Sarah's brilliant wisdom!
Sarah is an ordained Anglican priest and retrea...
2019-06-061h 22Contemplate This!Episode 16: Interview with Dr. Barry White, M.D.After my interview with Fr. Laurence Freeman, OSB, (Episode 14), he immediately suggested that I get in touch with Dr. Barry White. Listeners are going to be very grateful for this connection
Dr. Barry White, M.D., is hematologist and an executive board member of VHI Health and Wellbeing, a part of [VHI](https://www.vhi.ie/home) - the largest health insurance provider in Ireland.
He was a keynote speaker at the John Main Seminar in 2018, hosted by the [World Community for Christian Meditation](http://wccm.org/), and his talk on a contemplative approach to medicine is fascinating! [Click here...
2019-05-2057 minContemplate This!Interview with Fr. Laurence Freeman, OSBI first met Fr. Laurence at the New Contemplative Exchange in Snowmass Colorado in August of 2017. He was there as one of the representatives of what we affectionately call the "Big 4" networks of Christian contemplative practice - along with Fr. Thomas Keating (Contemplative Outreach, Ltd.), Rev. Dr. Tilden Edwards (Shalem Institute), Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM (Center for Action and Contemplation).
Laurence Freeman was born in England in 1951 where he was educated by the Benedictines and studied English Literature at New College, Oxford University. Before entering monastic life, he had experience with the United Nations in New York, banking and journalism.
...
2019-02-271h 11Contemplate This!Interview with Maria GulloMaria Gullo describes how God frees us from the "imposter self" in contemplation, and how a daily practice helps to integrate our many roles in life.
Maria Gullo is a fellow teacher of Centering Prayer and on the Insight Timer app, the creator of TheDeeperConnection.org, a trained and experienced spiritual director, and a small business owner. Maria first reached out to me after we found each others' teachings on Insight Timer, and it took is over a year to finally connect. The word that stands out for me from this interview is "integration." Maria wears many hats in life...
2019-02-021h 12Contemplate This!Interview with Dr. Louis KomjathyLouis Komjathy 康思奇 (Ph.D., Religious Studies; Boston University) is Associate Professor of Chinese Religions and Comparative Religious Studies at the University of San Diego, and Research Fellow of the Mind & Life Institute. A leading teacher-scholar of Daoism (Taoism) and Contemplative Studies, he has particular interests in contemplative practice, embodiment, and mystical experience. He is also founding Co-chair (2004-2010) of the Daoist Studies Unit of the American Academy of Religion, founding Co-chair (2010-2016) of the Contemplative Studies Unit of the American Academy of Religion, and manager of the Contemplative Studies Website (www.sandiego.edu/cas/contemplativestudies).
In addition to over thirty academ...
2018-11-131h 19Contemplate This!Interview with the Rev. Dr. Stuart HigginbothamFr. Stuart Higginbotham, an Episcopal priest in Gainesville, GA, is another one of the thoughtful and inspiring persons I met at the New Contemplative Exchange in Snowmass, CO, last August (2017). This interview stood out for me because of the very intentional way in which Stuart is bringing a contemplative disposition into his leadership role as pastor and priest at Grace Episcopal Church. His approach to leadership exemplifies what happens when we work to remove our ego and self-will from daily events, and create more room for the Holy Spirit to work in and through others. Although he's speaking about leadership as...
2018-10-231h 28Contemplate This!Contemplate This! Interview with Dr. Lerita Coleman BrownLerita Coleman Brown, PhD, Professor of Psychology Emerita at Agnes Scott College, is a spiritual director/companion, writer, retreat leader, and speaker. A graduate of the Spiritual Guidance Program at the Shalem Institute (founded by Tilden Edwards, Episode 3), Lerita writes about and promotes contemplative spirituality in everyday life, the life and work of Howard Thurman, and uncovering the peace and joy in one’s heart.
Dr. Brown was the retreat director and keynote speaker at the "Sewanee Contemplative Exchange," an event that emerged after the New Contemplative Exchange in August 2017 to address the integration between contemplative prayer and compassionate social ac...
2018-08-141h 32Contemplate This!Contemplate This! Interview with Rev. Matthew WrightThe Rev. Matthew Wright is an Episcopal priest, writer, and retreat leader working to renew the Christian Wisdom tradition. He serves as priest-in-charge at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Woodstock, NY and is a teacher for Northeast Wisdom and The Contemplative Society, non-profits rooted in the teaching lineage of Cynthia Bourgeault. Matthew lives with his wife, Yanick, alongside the brothers of Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, NY.
Matthew Wright is emerging as one of the most dynamic young leaders in the world of Christian contemplative practice. I've had the honor of becoming friends with Matthew after I first me...
2018-07-271h 23Contemplate This!Contemplate This! Dr. Stephen (Stoma) Parker InterviewI was introduced to Dr. Stephen Parker by a friend who suggested I reach out to him given my interests in psychology, yoga, and contemplative practices. We worked together for a brief time in therapy, but quickly moved into a spiritual friendship. I received initiation from him in 2013, and he remains one of my principle teachers of contemplation. I am grateful for his warmth and generosity, and he has helped me to understand how yoga as the science of spiritual practice can be fully integrated into my practice as a Christian.
Dr. Stephen Parker was initiated in the Himalayan Yoga...
2018-06-291h 26Contemplate This!Interview with yoga teacher Myra RuckerMyra Rucker is a yoga instructor at the YMCA, [Nokomis yoga](http:////www.nokomisyoga.com/), and a teacher at [Common Ground Buddhist meditation center](http:commongroundmeditation.org/)in Minneapolis, MN. This episode was particularly fun for me because Myra was my first yoga teacher, and she has become a good friend and a wonderful conversation partner on this path of contemplative transformation. I met Myra about 7 or 8 years ago I walked into a yoga studio at the YMCA in downtown Minneapolis. Like many Americans who go to a yoga studio, I thought of it mostly as a physical practice. But...
2018-04-161h 49Contemplate This!Interview with Chris HeuertzChris Heuertz was introduced to the Enneagram by a friend in India and it radically changed his life - leading to a shocking and difficult awakening, a "severe mercy," but one that led him on a journey of self-discovery and in-depth study of the Enneagram system and process of spiritual transformation. The wisdom of this journey is collected in his recent book, The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth. This interview breaks open a deeper understanding of the Enneagram, which Chris approaches more as a process for understanding our energies and our path to God, rather than...
2018-03-161h 15Contemplate This!Introducing the Enneagram with Chris HeuertzThis bonus track is an edited snippet from my interview with Chris Heuertz for the Contemplate This! podcast, conversations on contemplation and compassion. My interview with Chris was so rich and in-depth that I wanted to break out this 7 minute section where he gives a very concise overview of what the Enneagram is - or better, how it functions as a tool for spiritual growth and integration - and he gives an incredible overview of the nine personality typologies, or as he calls them the nine paths to God. If you're totally new to the Enneagram, or even if you're...
2018-03-1609 minContemplate This!Contemplate This! Interview with Phileena HeuertzPhileena is a founding co-director of Gravity Center: a Center for Contemplative Activism (in Omaha, NE), along with her husband Chris. She has spent her life in social justice work among the world’s poor. A member of the New Friar movement, for nearly 20 years she and her husband Chris served with Word Made Flesh in more than 70 countries building community among victims of human trafficking, survivors of HIV and AIDS, abandoned children and child soldiers and war brides.
Author, spiritual director, yoga instructor, public speaker and retreat guide, Phileena is passionate about spirituality and making the world a better pl...
2018-02-061h 05Contemplate This!Contemplate This! Interview with Rev. Dr. Tilden EdwardsThis third interview is with the Rev. Dr. Tilden Edwards, an Episcopalian priest and founding member, former Executive Director, and now Senior Fellow of the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. Shalem is a Hebrew word meaning "whole" or "complete," or as Tilden explains in this podcast, the Hebrew captures the notion of "movement toward wholeness." According to their website, "Shalem is grounded in Christian contemplative spirituality yet draws on the wisdom of many religious traditions." Through Tilden's leadership Shalem was one of the first institutes designed to train ministers and church leaders for spiritual direction, particularly outside of the context...
2017-12-191h 35Contemplate This!Contemplate This! Interview with Rev. Dr. Cynthia BourgeaultThis second episode is an interview with Cynthia Bourgeault. Cynthia is an ordained Episcopalian priest, and beloved teacher of contemplative forms of Christian practice, Founder of the Wisdom Way of Knowing, teacher in the Wisdom School, and now a core teacher at the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albequerque NM. She has been a prolific author of 9 books, notably Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening and her most recent, The Heart of Centering Prayer: Nondual Christianity in Theory and Practice. She is considered by many, myself included, to be one of the central teachers in the renewal of Christian contemplative...
2017-12-041h 24Contemplate This!Contemplate This! Interview with Fr. Richard Rohr, OFMThis first interview is with Fr. Richard Rohr, a Catholic priest and member of the Franciscans, the religious order established by St. Francis of Assissi in the 13th century. He is the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and a leading teacher in the Living School, a program begun by the Center for Action and Contemplation that has introduced and trained hundreds of contemplative activists in the Christian tradition, empowering them to bring contemplation as a ground of peace and deeper meaning into their work to create a more just world. He is also...
2017-12-041h 39