Spark My Muse
Religion & Spirituality
About
Conversations and enriching content to set alight your inner life and our life together
Episodes
- Letting Event-based Forms of Church Die
This episode features a recording of a live event with Cindy S Lee. The discussion centers on the desert elders and the idea of letting event-based forms of church die.
- Vainglory, Envy, Pride and Creating a Rule of Life
This Spark My Muse episode examines vainglory, envy, and pride, alongside the process of establishing a personal rule of life.
- Temptations of the Body – 4/12/26
This episode shares a lesson titled "Temptations of the Body" from Bethesda EC Church, given on April 12, 2026. It is the second in a series of four lessons.
- The finale
This is the fourth and final episode in a series on consciousness.
- Lent Week 1 – (clips)
This episode of Spark My Muse features clips with Coptic Christian Phoebe Farag Mikhail, who discusses the first theme of Lent and the Desert Elders.
- Who is the God we speak of?
This Spark My Muse episode explores the question of who the God we speak of is. It was originally created for YouTube, with two additional episodes in the series available there.
- The Flaws of Original Sin (doctrine)
This episode discusses the flaws of the Original Sin doctrine.
- Big News of Launch Week
This episode of Spark My Muse discusses the major news that occurred during the show's launch week. It provides an overview of the key events and announcements from that period.
- Eps 240: Guest, Mark Longhurst, The Holy Ordinary
Mark Longhurst joins Spark My Muse to discuss experiencing the divine in ordinary life and finding embodied spirituality.
- Insights from the Launch Team
This episode features a conversation about the release of a book, including insights from the launch team.
- How Life on Screens leaves out the Right Brain Chemicals We Need
This episode explores research and tactics for finding more meaning in life. It specifically addresses how life experienced through screens may omit crucial right-brain chemicals necessary for well-being.
- 2025 Review and Connection in 2026
This episode of Spark My Muse reviews the year 2025 and discusses connection in 2026, touching on the personal experience of defeating loneliness.
- Eps 239: Lee and Simon from a Presby Podcast
Lee Coate and Simon Doong from A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast spoke with Spark My Muse about the Sermon on the Mount and Christianity in the era of Empire, including the topic of conservative Christian cult mentalities.
- Eps 238 Jenn Layte, Follower and hearing the voice of God
Rev Jenn Layte, a friend of the podcast, joins to discuss her book "Follower: How Getting Close to Jesus Brings You to Yourself." The conversation focuses on how deep connection with Jesus leads to self-understanding. Indexed from public R…
- Eps. 237: Hedgehogs, Basilisks, Unicorns, and learning from Medieval teachings
This episode features a conversation with Dr. Grace Hamman about her book "Ask of Old Paths: Medieval Virtues and Vices for a Whole and Holy Life." The discussion touches on learning from medieval virtues and vices.
- ARRIVED: Advanced Reader Copies [SSL 344]
This episode of Spark My Muse features a special reading from Way of the Desert Elders, titled 'ARRIVED: Advanced Reader Copies [SSL 344]'.
- Finding a Buried (emotional) Corpse [SSL 343]
In Spark My Muse episode 343, the host discusses the surfacing of buried emotions after nasal surgery, relating it to a universal human experience.
- 411 on gluttony and lust
Spark My Muse begins a new series based on their book, starting with gluttony and lust. The episode examines how desert elders addressed these issues and offers insights to help listeners confront the same obstacles.
- Why do the Wicked Prosper?
In this episode of Spark My Muse, the host shares personal struggles with the question of why the wicked prosper. A chapter from Psalms that has provided comfort is read.
- The Comfort of Endorsement
Spark My Muse shares endorsements from listeners and collaborators regarding new work. The host expresses appreciation for the community's support and directs listeners to their offerings.
- Journey to Joy – An enchanting (midlife) tale
conversation about a fairy tale literary work with Christine Valters Paintner
- Book Announcement
My newest book "The Way of the Desert Elders" is now listed on Amazon here tiny.cc/elders PLEASE PRE-ORDER! Today, I give you a brief into to the book details and read and explain the table of contents.
- Eps 236 : Community Witnessing and Care; Cindy S. Lee
My conversation with author, Cindy S. Lee involves topics of great importance and interest to me. Cindy is thoughtful and spacious and one of just a few contemporary authors I cite in my new book on topics of spiritual formation.We discuss…
- Eps. 235 | Saving Face: Guest, Aimee Byrd
Aimee Byrd on identity, belonging, healing, church abuse, and seeing ourselves in each other.
- The Inner Terrain of Love [SSL 342]
I was delighted to be a return guest to Jasmine Bellamy's monthly occasion called "The Call to Love Experience"—a live online gathering that provides spiritual grounding, learning, deep listening and where we discussed themes in my first b…
- Eps: 234 Purposeful Pruning in Evangelicalism; Michelle Van Loon
A return guest Michelle Van Loon speaks to me about her 50 years involved in many versions of Christian Evangelism and getting rid of what is non essential from her book Downsizing. Get over to the YouTube Channel here to see some videos a…
- Celebrating 10 years
Hello! Today I celebrating ten years of bringing you Spark My Muse podcast episodes. 606 releases! Even better? See my video message about it and go here
- The highest compliment: Sarah “the female man of God” [SSL341]
Today is an introduction to wise Amma Sarah of the Christian Desert Era.
- Why Religion began with Blood Sacrifices? [SSL 340]
the three momentous conceptions from Réne Girard and his keen insights on human behavior, violence, and...
- Eps 233: Beth Allison Barr; Women in Church Leadership
Beth is back and we have a great conversation about her newest book Becoming The Pastor's Wife: How Marriage replaced Ordination as a Path to Ministry. Don't miss the extras and links here: https://sparkmymuse.substack.com/publish/post/159…
- The Three Woes [SSL 340]
Host, Lisa Colon DeLay instructs on the three core wounds we all experience and how her new product creates a unique visual representation of these places for each person.
- Guest Esp. 232: Storyteller, Max Stossel
A conversation with storyteller and performer Max Stossel.
- Eps 231: Mark S. Burrows on Rilke and the invitation to joy
Host, Lisa Colon DeLay and Mark S. Burrows discuss his new books and translation projects of poet Rainer Maria Rilke in a fascinating conversation.
- [Howard Thurman] Limited Series: Part 11 – FINAL episode!
Limited Series: Part 11 (Howard Thurman) final episode on Imagination as the Angelos of God
- Limited Series – part 10 : Howard Thurman: Disciplines of the Spirit | Retaliation and Reconciliation
This and one more installment will bring an end to this series that offers Howard Thurman's wisdom from 1963 to our time. It's a time when violence, hate, and othering are quite apparent and hope for human reconciliation in our nation and…
- Limited Series – part 9 : Howard Thurman: Disciplines of the Spirit | The story of the axe-wielding barber
Limited Series – part 9 : Howard Thurman: Disciplines of the Spirit | How Ma Walker reconciled the axe-wielding barber
- Limited Series – part 8 : Howard Thurman: Disciplines of the Spirit, PRAYER [2 of 2]
From host Lisa Colon DeLay and Spark My Muse podcast as Limited Series – part 8 : Howard Thurman: Disciplines of the Spirit on PRAYER [2 of 2]
- Limited Series – part 7 : : : Howard Thurman: Disciplines of the Spirit PRAYER 1 of 2
Host Lis Colon DeLay of Spark My Muse podcast bring a Limited Series – part 7 : : : Howard Thurman: Disciplines of the Spirit PRAYER [1 of 2]
- Limited Series – part 6 : : : Howard Thurman: Disciplines of the Spirit [Why the Innocent Suffer] section 3
Thurman speaking about the suffering of the innocent and the intertwining of death, life, and suffering (from the Disciples of the Spirit)
- Limited Series – part 5 : : : Howard Thurman: Disciplines of the Spirit [Is there purpose in Suffering]
PART 2 of the chapter on Suffering in the 1963 work of Dr Howard Thurman called The Disciplines of the Spirit (host Lisa Colon DeLay)
- Limited Series – part 4 : : : Howard Thurman: Disciplines of the Spirit [Pain and Suffering]
A reading and reflection from the Suffering chapter from Disciples of the Spirit by Dr Howard Thurman (1962)
- Limited Series – part 3 : : : Howard Thurman: Disciplines of the Spirit [Wisdom and Stature]
A reading and reflection from the Wisdom and Stature chapter from Disciples of the Spirit by Dr Howard Thurman (1962)
- Limited Series, part 2 : : : Howard Thurman: Disciplines of the Spirit [Commitment]
A reading and reflection today from host Lisa Colon DeLay of a segment from the Commitment chapter in the work called Discipline of the Spirit by Dr Howard Thurman.
- Limited Series – part 1 : : : Howard Thurman: Disciplines of the Spirit
Limited Series (part 1) Deep dive into commitment, growth, suffering, prayer, and reconciliation (from Dr Howard Thurman 1962 - Disciplines of the Spirit) brought to you from host Lisa Colon DeLay.
- December Pause [SSL 339]
A time for a pause for our high resolve.
- Unanswered Prayer: Insights from Howard Thurman [SSL 338]
Today is a reading and reflection on three short essays of Howard Thurman that I hope find you encouraging. If you want to connect with my blog on substack you can go here: https://sparkmymuse.substack.com/publish/post/151848975 Find me al…
- Eps 230: Discernment as Formation | Adam Shields, guest
A deep-dive on discernment with Lisa Colon DeLay and Adam Shields.
- The Lord is slow to anger and rich in love [SSL 337]
A reflection on Psalm 145 in light of our times from host Lisa Colon DeLay
- An Altar in the World: Feeling Pain [SSL 326]
From host Lisa Colon DeLay, a powerful reading and short reflection on the incarnational aspects of pain from the fantastic book An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor.
- Expectation as Patience: Henri Nouwen [SSL325]
A reading about expectation as patience and joy from "Out of Solitude" a 1974 work by Henri Nouwen (1932-1996)