Poema Podcast

Today I'm joined by writer, blogger, painter & author Pamela Hodges. Pamela shares her unique story - including when she met Bono - and talks about maintaining authenticity & artistic integrity in our creative work. Finally, Pamela talks about about her struggles with faith, dealing with loss, and how she encourages her cats to express themselves creatively. 

Andi Cumbo is an experienced writer, coach, author and editor, and a good friend. Today on the podcast she shares her powerful & challenging story, with wisdom about creativity, calling, and how this ties in with her spirituality, and her life running a farm. Andi has so much wisdom to share about creativity, spirituality, calling & living a balanced life, and I know you'll really benefit from her words today.  ***** You can connect with Andi online at @andilit or andiit.com 

Today I talk to my good friend, writer, blogger & coach Christine Niles, about writing and the creative process.  Christine has years of blogging & writing experience, and like me has spent a lot of time coaching writers. She's seen the ups & downs, the challenges, the failures & the successes, and has a lot of wisdom to share on things like finding your voice, overcoming writers block, and overcoming resistance and beginning your writers journey.  ***** As a special exclusive for "James Talks" listeners, you can access her three week mini-course "Start To Write" for free - the course is three weeks of daily writing prompts, tips, and daily reminders to get you going on your writers journey, and highly recommended! You can access this special offer at: http://riverofthoughts.com/jamestalks/ Start your writing journey today!

The series on calling concludes with a call to action - talking about how we don't need to have permission to pursue our calling, the role of wise counsel, and challenging us to have the courage to step out & embrace the life we were created for. 

We've discussed what calling is...but how do we discover our calling? Today in this series I talk about following our curiosity, and listening to that ache inside of us. Our callings often reside both in the things we are curious about, or in the inner aches, desires, longings deep inside - and we need to learn to listen to both

In part 3 of this series on calling, I explore the a simple but forgotten truth about calling - that callings can, and should, be fun. To be enjoyed. To be something we ultimately find joy in.  We may not initially want to do what we're called to, but if we're really called to it, then it will become joy to us.

Before we begin exploring what our calling is & how to pursue it, we need to ground ourselves in the right place. In part 2 of my series on calling, I explore how often put our security in our calling or vocation - and how if we are to really thrive, we need to place it somewhere else. ***** This series is part of the #synCREATE month on calling. You're invited to create anything related to calling, and share it with the hashtag #synCREATE - get creating today

This week I'm doing a five-part series on the subject of calling. Calling is a word we use more and more often, but can be misunderstood. In this series I examine various questions/issues/misunderstandings around calling, and how we can discover our own calling. Today I begin with the basic question, 'What Is Calling?'  We talk about it a lot, but what does it actually mean? ***** Calling is this month's #synCREATE topic - what does the word inspire in you? Go make it!

Dr Kate Hendricks Thomas is a health educator & author who has conducted research which proves there is a science to our spirituality. Today I talk with her about the three things her research has shown are required for healthy living - and an evidence basis for spirituality. Hendricks Thomas gives us a fascinating insight into how the brain works. And she shows us some incredible conclusions about how our brains work, and how humans being thrive, which can give us a whole new dimension to our spiritual journeys.  Find more of Kate Hendricks Thomas at at her website www.katehendricksthomas.com, and check out more of her research in her book "Brave Strong True", available online now. 

It's the time of year man of us choose our goals for the coming year. What I've done in recent years is choose one word to give me focus and direction, and which sums up all my goals - and it's had a massively positive impact. So today I share about the #OneWord365 project, how it's impacted my life & how it can benefit you too. I also discuss how whilst plans and goals are good, that often, life is what happens when we're busy making other plans. We must always be open to unexpected circumstances - and often, they can be the real life changing ones.  Finally, I talk about some exciting projects coming this year including future podcasts, upcoming books, synCREATE and more. You can get my two free e-books I discuss at the beginning in the following places: Dance Of The Writer - http://www.jamesprescott.co.uk  Unlocking Creativity - https://www.facebook.com/groups/JamesPrescottWriter/  Have a great new year & join me next week for another interview! :-)

From Dec 21st there will be a little more sunlight coming into the world. Christmas is a story of new hope. It's a symbol of new light coming into a world of darkness. And that metaphor is demonstrated in God's creation. Today on the podcast I reflect on the metaphor of darkness and light, and how this symbol of light in darkness in creation had a life-changing impact on me. And I explore what this metaphor means for you & I, both this Christmas, and beyond. 

Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens this week. And today is the beginning of an occasional series called 'Geek Spirituality - where I & others explore the connections between spirituality & the stories told comic book movies, sci-fi classics like Star Wars & Doctor Who & others. Today I begin with the world of Star Wars.  Firstly, I talk the spiritual awakening our culture is looking for & why this will help make the movie a success.  Second, I explore the deceit and power of fear - a powerful motif in the Star Wars universe - and the path it can lead down. This leads me to share how, as in Star Wars, love and hope always triumphs - and how this applies in a world where fear is causing violence, war and exclusion of refugees, and potentially some religious groups.

Lisa Delay of the Spark My Muse podcast is my guest today. Lisa is an author, podcaster & communicator, and the co-founder, with myself, of #synCREATE, a collaborative creative community, as well as a friend. She's passionate about inspiring people to discover their creative gifts and discover more of the divine in everyday life.  Today she shares her story, talks about creativity, her creative process, spirituality and living out spiritual disciplines. Lisa has a lot of wisdom to share on all these subjects, so it's definitely worth a listen!  You can find Lisa's work at sparkmymuse.com & she is on Twitter at @LisaDelay - I was a guest on her podcast a few weeks back, so be sure to check it out!

Today I introduce synCreate - a new creative community, where every single person is invited to create art of any kind you like - words, music, painting, drawing, photos, videos, podcasts, blog posts, animation, films - anything - on monthly themes, sharing them in community & with the hashtag #syncreate.  It's a space with freedom to create, a space to have community, a space which invites collaboration between people from different parts of the world, and where we can have fun.  Info referenced in episode:  Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/syncreate     Twitter: @synCreate01 Join us for the first community call/conversation/launch party with cheesy Christmas jumpers on Dec 19th, on blab - go to this link & subscribe to the call:  https://blab.im/lisa-delay-ugly-sweater-christmas-party-syncreate-launch-party This months theme is advent, waiting & longing. Don't just sycroblog - syncreate

Today I have writer & blogger Taylor Duvall on the show. Taylor has a powerful, challenging story to share, which takes in writing, moving from traditional church to a more progressive spirituality, discovering a new life and purpose beyond her divorce at 22, and much more.  Taylor's an amazing person & phenomenal writer, and has so much wisdom & encouragement about spirituality, creativity/writing, and empowering women. You can find her work at taylorduvall.com

Today I talk to podcaster, blogger and pastor Troy McLaughlin about creativity, calling, faithfulness and keeping integrity in our work. Troy shares about his own powerful journey of calling & how it's led him to where he is today, and his online work on Project Pastor. 

Today I'm joined by Sarah Bessey, blogger, speaker & author of the new book 'Out Of Sorts', and 'Jesus Feminist'. Sarah shares her own story of faith, leaving & coming back to the church & finding Jesus in the process.  Sarah & I chat about what it means to have an evolving faith, the importance of doubt, questioning and mystery and why we all need to journey together, not divide ourselves. And how the way of Jesus & the Sprit isn't about steps & formulas, but something much deeper & more mysterious.  It was such fun to chat with Sarah - she's honest, challenging, funny & so inspiring.

What does it mean to be 'evangelical'?  Today I share parts of my own story try to encourage those questioning what is called the 'evangelical church'. And I explore how in fact an 'evangelical' is a type of person, a way of being in the world, not a label, institution, belief system, or religious/political affiliation.

Before we progress in our spiritual journey, there is one big step of faith we have to take....and it's not just about belief. 

Lauren Ward from FeministFaith.com shares her story today. Lauren talks about what she calls 'Christian Feminism', and how her feminist and Christian beliefs have shaped her story and her life choices, including her recent engagement.  Finally, Lauren offers encouragement to all Christian women who are feeling unable to express who they truly are.