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Radical Sacred

Radical Sacred

By: Jenny Misslin and Phillip Dieke
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Remember, you are on sacred ground. Stay rooted.

For two years Jenny Misslin and Rev. Phil Dieke have been contemplating a podcast. An opportunity to discuss spirituality, nature, community, and the interconnectedness of it all. All things they love, are very anxious about, and eager to explore.

Radical, defined as "the relating to the fundamental nature of something." This term can be divisive, but to Jenny and Phil it is an invitation to connect back to the divine goodness, the sacred, at the core of all creation.

Radical Sacred is an invitation to join them in curiosity as they explore questions such as:
  • What is an experience that led you to a kinder, more inclusive spirituality?
  • Who was the first person you met that broadened your ideas about the Divine?
  • Where do you experience the Holy?
  • If liberation of self leads us on a pathway to liberation for all, what has that looked like in your own spirituality?
  • How do you find joy and pleasure in these wild times?
  • Has there been an anchor for you as your spirituality has shifted?
  • How can the stories we tell ourselves harm or heal ourselves, and creation?
Not experts, Jenny and Phil strive to live the questions while exploring the mystery of all that is unsolved in our hearts and souls.

Will you join them?Copyright Phillip Dieke Christianity Spirituality
Episodes
  • Rev. William H. Lamar on Ancestors, Stories, and Living Resurrection

    Rev. William H. Lamar on Ancestors, Stories, and Living Resurrection
    Jun 21 2026
    On this special Father’s Day episode of Radical Sacred we have the immense privilege of talking to Rev. William Lamar about his beautiful new book Ancestors: Those who Bless us, Curse us, and Hold us. Rev. Lamar talks to us about the importance of intimately knowing and calling upon our ancestors, the perfect memory that water holds, how to listen to the still small voice within us, and the importance of silence, nature, and music. Sitting with Bill for this episode was a profound blessing and we always leave our time with him awake, aware, and more alive. We invite you to check out this fabulous episode and dive deep into the ancestors inviting you back to your truest selves.


    Show Notes:
    • Ancestors: Those who Bless us, Curse us, and Hold us by William Lamar
    • Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, DC
    • I am my Ancestors’ by TaRessa Stovall
    • The DC Church that beat the Proud Boys in Court now Owns Their Name

    Key Topics
    • The biblical transfiguration story as a metaphor for ancestral engagement
    • Water as a symbol of perfect memory and spiritual renewal
    • The internal journey of self-discovery and internal cartography
    • The role of music and storytelling in connecting with ancestors
    • Resurrection as a cosmic and ecological process of renewal

    Chapters
    00:30 The Legacy of Ancestors
    02:56 Introduction to Reverend William H. Lamar IV
    05:41 The Importance of Ancestors in Faith
    07:29 Writing the Book: A Personal Journey
    11:19 The Transfiguration and Ancestral Connections
    16:00 Water as a Symbol of Memory
    22:18 The Role of Music in Spiritual Life
    28:05 Distraction and the Inner Music
    33:16 Finding Connection in Nature
    42:22 Bumping Into Oneself: The Inward Journey
    47:06 The Role of Ancestors in Our Lives
    54:56 Living Resurrection: A Poetic Invitation
    01:05:44 Father's Day Reflections and Ancestral Connections
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Mary Fontana on Strangers in the Province of Joy

    Mary Fontana on Strangers in the Province of Joy
    Jun 17 2026
    In this timely episode we visit with the author of Strangers in the Province of Joy: Practicing Radical Hospitality at the US-Mexico Border, Mary Fontana. While in college Mary began a 20+ year relationship with Annunciation House in El Paso which houses and provides care for migrants. This book is all about the important work of Annunciation House, its surprising and tender beginnings, and about the root causes that lead to people leaving their home countries. We talk about liberation theology, the United States complicity in the instability in Central America, and what we can all do to better love our neighbor as ourselves.


    Show Notes:
    • Strangers in the Province of Joy: Practicing Radical Hospitality at the US-Mexico Border
    • Mary Fontana’s Website
    • Annunciation House
    • A Prayer of Shelter and Shadow by Pádraig ó Tuama
    Key Topics:
    • The origins and history of Annunciation House
    • The concept of radical hospitality and its importance
    • Root causes of migration including US foreign policy and climate change
    • The role of personal relationships and presence in service work
    • The intersection of faith, justice, and activism in immigration
    • The ongoing legal challenges faced by organizations like Annunciation House
    • The importance of education and awareness in changing perceptions
    • The spiritual and contemplative practices that sustain service work
    Chapters
    00:30 A Prayer for Shelter and Community
    02:35 Introducing Mary Fontana and Her Work
    05:15 The Role of Annunciation House
    10:02 Understanding Borders: Geographic and Internal
    13:08 Migration as an Earth Right
    17:52 Root Causes of Migration
    22:07 Climate Change and Migration
    26:51 The Politics of Immigration and Othering
    31:39 Emergency Response and Human Connection
    34:17 The Founders' Wisdom and Open-Heartedness
    38:55 The Role of Contemplation in Service
    43:56 Balancing Presence and Productivity
    48:49 Justice and Mercy in Hospitality
    52:10 Spreading Awareness Through Storytelling
    54:15 Radical Hospitality Defined
    58:57 Facing Political Challenges with Resilience
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Encountering Henri Nouwen with Stephen Lazarus

    Encountering Henri Nouwen with Stephen Lazarus
    Jun 10 2026
    We enjoyed this fabulous conversation with Stephen Lazarus! Stephen is the Literary Manager for the Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust and the editor of Encountering Henri: The Living Legacy of Henri Nouwen. We visit about how earnestly and honestly Henri Nouwen lived his life and how impactful and invitational his way of being was. We invite you to live fully and in the spirit of Henri today and everyday! “It is by being awake to God in us that we can increasingly see God in the world around us.”
    Show Notes
    • Encountering Henri: The Living Legacy of Henri Nouwen
    • Cardus NexGen program
    • Henry Nouwen Legacy Trust
    • Comment Magazine
    • Robert and Margaret Jonas - Reviving Creation
    Substack
    • Check out Jenny's weekly reflection on the episode on our Substack.


    Key Topics
    • Henry Nowen's impact on spiritual life
    • The concept of woundedness and healing
    • Divine invitations and unexpected encounters
    • Henry Nowen's influence on peacemaking and justice
    • The importance of authentic identity in faith
    Chapters
    00:30 The Poetic Introduction to Love
    02:38 Introducing Stephen Lazarus and His Journey
    04:37 Encountering Henry Nowen: A Personal Connection
    08:06 Who Was Henry Nowen?
    10:04 The Humanity of Henry Nowen
    16:00 Divine Invitations Through Henry's Work
    20:47 The Communion of Saints and Connection to Ancestors
    24:13 Contemplating Memories of Henry
    28:47 Surprising Stories from the Book
    30:37 Embracing Our Imperfections
    34:25 Awakening to the Divine
    34:59 The Meandering Path to Home
    39:21 Engaging with the Common Good
    43:55 Wounded vs. Broken: A Theological Perspective
    49:03 Finding Identity in a Polarized World
    Show More Show Less
    56 mins
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