Best Sbnr Podcasts (2025)

1
Seeds of the SBNR Tradition 1:28:25

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1M ago1:28:25

1:28:25

In this episode, we explore the deep roots and evolving expressions of what it means to be "Spiritual But Not Religious" (SBNR), especially through the lens of Christian mysticism and contemplative history. We ask: What does it truly mean to be SBNR? Where did these spiritual instincts come from? And can we trace a meaningful lineage that validates…

1
The Power of Words 40:16

3h ago40:16

40:16

Carol points out that scripture says that Death and Life is in the power of the Word. She and Rev. Bill dive into the tremendous power of words, especially when they are focused and activated in a practical prayer. (Rebroadcast from episode 86 on 1/25/2023). Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to lis…

1
Musings - Wilderness Contemplative Prayer 27:13

2d ago27:13

27:13

In this special episode of Nature as Beloved, Nature as Self, we explore Centering Prayer as a contemplative path into divine intimacy—where silence becomes the language of God, and the soul sinks into a deep, sacred stillness. We reflect on two powerful contemplative traditions: Thomas Keating’s Centering Prayer – a modern contemplative method roo…

1
Expansion 39:31

7d ago39:31

39:31

For the 200th episode, Carol wanted a topic that is especially intriguing and uplifting. More fundamental than growth, the Universe is expanding in all ways, so the conversation is about how we are expanding in our spirituality, too. Rev. Bill (as usual) takes the discussion back to the fundamental concept that we are already 100% spiritual, and wh…

1
Intrusive Thoughts 35:59

14d ago35:59

35:59

A listener is having trouble with intrusive thoughts about tripping and falling, and is concerned that this repetitive mental activity could be drawing a problem into his life. Carol's experience is that the negative thoughts are coming from within, so the best place to start is an internal dialog to change the thoughts. Rev. Bill adds that it's no…

1
Artificial Intelligence 45:45

21d ago45:45

45:45

Carol wants to talk about AI. Can it can enhance our expression or risk dulling our minds? She and Rev. Bill explore the rise of Artificial Intelligence and its impact on creativity, spirituality, and human thought. The conversation turns to AI-generated prayer, offering a fresh perspective on tradition, technology, and the soul of spiritual practi…

1
Humanizing God 42:21

28d ago42:21

42:21

Carol has noticed that many people have a tendency to think of God in human terms, to anthropomorphize the Infinite. Rev. Bill has some ideas about why this happens, the two discuss the challenges and benefits of letting go of the idea of a Guy in the Sky. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to liste…

1
In God We Trust 34:55

1M ago34:55

34:55

Our money says "In God We Trust", and Carol thinks it shows that we all share a common belief that we're carrying with us at all times. Rev. Bill agrees, mostly, and points out that we can trust the Infinite to create according to our beliefs even when we don't like what we're believing in. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - …

1
Truth 44:40

1M ago44:40

44:40

Carol has been a leader in three different religious denominations, and has found one consistent element throughout, which is the hunger for truth - for what is true? Her answer suggests that each of us has what is true for us. Rev. Bill takes the New Thought perspective and goes back to the Ultimate Truth that there is ONLY God, showing up differe…

1
Principle 48:05

2M ago48:05

48:05

Things happen - "bad things" - and Carol has found that people get paralyzed by fear that they'll get worse, or catastrophe will ensue. She and Rev. Bill explore how we can all turn to the Principles underlying the New Thought teaching, and the foundational source of the power of Practical Prayer. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer pod…

1
Meditation 45:21

2M ago45:21

45:21

People around Carol are insecure about meditation - afraid that they're going to do it wrong,that they'll choose the wrong technique, or an unsuitable teacher or guru, or that they won't be able to stay awake, or sit still, olr whatever. Rev. Bill reminds us that we can't figure it out ahead of time, so the thing to do is meditate, then see how it …

1
Musings - Why Would a SBNR Person Want to Embrace Anything Christian? 26:56

2M ago26:56

26:56

We're starting a new mini-series! In these shorter episodes, Stephen will be sharing his musings and reflections, speaking about the ways Wilderness Christian Mysticism connects with what's going on in our world. For this first "musing," Stephen shares his reflections about the current state of affairs, while responding to the question: Why would a…

1
The Sacred Contract 41:25

2M ago41:25

41:25

Carol has a notion of a Sacred Contract - an agreement we make as we begin our human lives about who we're here to be, and what we're here to do. Rev. Bill has a similar idea that we are born with a unique set of skills, abilities and possibilities, and our opportunity is to figure out what they are and how best to use them. They wholeheartedly agr…

1
Prayer Works 39:57

2M ago39:57

39:57

The reason for prayer is to change an experience we're having in life - a Practical Prayer works! Carol and Rev. Bill discuss the techniques, how different it is from "traditional" prayer, and the ways that their prayers have been yielding results in their lives. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends t…

1
Affirmative Prayer or Other Kind of Prayer 46:27

3M ago46:27

46:27

Carol has found that New Thought has Affirmative Prayer, and Practical Prayer, as well as Affirmations and Realizations, and wants to know what the differences are. Rev. Bill takes a giant step back to discuss the differences between New Thought and other spiritual practices, then takes a running jump into Carol's question. Our apologies for the su…

1
Synchronicities 47:41

3M ago47:41

47:41

People are talking to Carol about synchronicities, with certain sequences of numbers appearing over and over, and other indicators that there's more going on than meets the eye. Rev. Bill suggests that these "little happy coincidences" are indications of the "big happy coincidence", which is another version of the Creation Story of the Universe. Th…

1
Where The True Self Resides 1:23:32

3M ago1:23:32

1:23:32

In this inspiring episode of Nature as Beloved, Nature as Self, we delve into an intricate exploration of the "True Self." Within the framework of Wilderness Christian Mysticism, this conversation seeks to illuminate the place where the True Self resides. Drawing from Christian, psychological, and interspiritual perspectives, we explore the profoun…

1
Personal Abundance 39:33

3M ago39:33

39:33

Carol says that everyone wants abundance, but knows that we are pulling from a limitless sea of potential. The question is how we can connect with it, and experience it? Rev. Bill says that we can't pray for abundance, but instead get to align ourselves between the experience we desire and the Infinite Power that brings it into our lives. Thank you…

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Individualized or Separate 43:37

3M ago43:37

43:37

Carol has noticed what seems like a discrepancy in the New Thought philosophy - that we are individulized expressions of the One Divine Presence, but there is no separation. Rev. Bill jumps in with examples that include lifting our hands, raindrops and rainbows. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to…

1
Gods Will and Our Purpose 40:47

4M ago40:47

40:47

There have always been difficult times, and Carol reminds us that even in the midst of good times we can experience difficulty. Rev. Bill notes that events are currently moving very quickly, and that there will - somehow - be a process of re-balancing. Our challenge is to keep ourselves balanced while the process unfolds. Thank you for listening to…

1
Spiritual Practice 37:24

4M ago37:24

37:24

Carol believes that it's crucial to attend to our spiritual growth, but has noticed that not everyone agrees. Rev. Bill points out that "practice makes practiced", and that everyone is free to attend to life at the experiential level, or develop a practice to cultivate a deeper awareness of our spiritual nature. Thank you for listening to the Pract…

1
Duality, or Non? 46:27

4M ago46:27

46:27

Carol has found that the idea of "oneness" can be a heavy lift for people coming into the New Thought philosophy. Non-duality is easy, because it means the same thing as oneness. But where did the notion of duality come from in the first place? Rev. Bill describes how our perspective on the world and sense of duality comes at us through all five se…

1
Know Something Better 35:45

4M ago35:45

35:45

People have more and more been reaching out to Carol in distress over the challengin times we live in. She's pretty calm about it, but brought the topic up for deeper discussion. Rev. Bill notes that "challenging times" happen all the time, and reminds us that we are able to look the "facts" in the face and know something better. Thank you for list…

1
Waiting on a Miracle 34:11

4M ago34:11

34:11

Carol notes that when a "miracle" happens, it might have been in the works for many years, and seems miraculous because we didn't see it coming. Rev. Bill agrees, suggesting that the "miracle" might not just be love at first sight, but the meeting and enduring friendship with the person who invited you to the party where the miracle happened. Thank…

1
Getting a Grip on Ego 37:47

5M ago37:47

37:47

Carol believes that ego is key to our success, and also drives our failures and frustrations. Rev. Bill suggests that there's a difference between controlling our ego and not letting our ego control us. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen! There's more information about the podcast, and the…

1
Miracles 37:43

5M ago37:43

37:43

Carol asks, "Is everything a miracle? Or is nothing a miracle?" Rev. Bill says the answer is "yes," and the discussion proceeds with the idea that the miracle of life and all of Creation depends on how you look at it. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen! There's more information about the p…

1
Fresh Metaphors for Seeing Christ Anew 1:22:00

5M ago1:22:00

1:22:00

To better understand who Christ is in our lives, we're exploring a handful of metaphors: Christ as a Mirror (of our True Selves), Christ as Light and Warmth, Christ as a Listening Presence, and Christ as Inter-being. This conversation is for anyone who is Spiritual But Not Religious or exploring new horizons. It's for Christians seeking renewal and…

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Simple, But Not Easy 33:47

5M ago33:47

33:47

Rev. Bill is solo in this episode. He talks about the the simplicty of Practical Prayer, and how that simplicity contrasts with the complexity of actually practicing with it in our day to day life. Transformation is at hand, but might require some diligence on our part! Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your fr…

1
Time and Vocabulary 43:27

5M ago43:27

43:27

Time seems to be moving SO quickly to Carol and those around her. Changes that used to take ten years now happen in two years, or even faster. How do we maintain our center? Rev. Bill offers perspective on the ways that the changes are not just disruptive, but open up new avenues for good. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - p…

1
Heaven & Hell 41:29

6M ago41:29

41:29

The ideas of Hell and Heaven saturate traditional religion, and Carol wants Rev. Bill's perspective. He breaks the conversation down into three facets - what Heaven and Hell are, where you're going, who gets to say where you're going, and why. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen! There's mo…

1
We Don't Manifest Anything 40:03

6M ago40:03

40:03

Carol is intrigued by Rev. Bill's claim a few episodes back that "we don't manifest anything." There are clearly a LOT of people busy doing Manifesting work of all sorts. so she wants to know what the heck he's talking about. The conversation turns to "Theolocation", a new term coined by Bill to help explain it. Thank you for listening to the Pract…

1
Reclaiming Christ as Belonging to the World 1:15:00

6M ago1:15:00

1:15:00

From the perspective of Wilderness Christian Mysticism, Christ is not confined to one group, religion, or interpretation. In this episode, we tackle harmful ideas that have distorted Christ’s essence and message, such as exclusionary doctrines and narrow interpretations. And in doing so, we reclaim a Christ who stands with the marginalized, uplifts…

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Wealth, Prosperity and Abundance 37:49

6M ago37:49

37:49

Some people around Carol have been using the words wealth, prosperity and abundance as three ways to say the same thing. The are different, and Rev. Bill explains that Abundance is an aspect of God while the other two are descriptions of the ways that we can experience life. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite yo…

1
Subliminal Influences 40:45

6M ago40:45

40:45

Carol has a lifelong love of music, and is aware of the possibility for messages to be hidden within. There are other ways we can be influenced without our specific awareness. Rev. Bill dives into the topic, with stories along the way of meditation, hypnosis, and gardening. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite you…

1
Outlining 46:45

7M ago46:45

46:45

Carol has come across the notion of "outlining", which is different in the bible than the way it's addressed by Emmet Fox, and other visionaries of New Thought. Rev. Bill describes outlining as our tendency to identify what we want AND the process by which we expect to get it. It's like wanting a work of art but giving the Infinite a color-by-numbe…

1
Masks 48:56

7M ago48:56

48:56

In watching the little kids at Halloween, Carol gave thought to the masks we wear, the roles we play, and how we present ourselves differently to different groups at various times. Rev. Bill brings in the ideas of appropriateness, and authenticity, noting that we can engage differently at different times without hiding our true selves. Thank you fo…

1
Metaphysics at Starbucks 41:38

7M ago41:38

41:38

After more than 170 weekly podcast episodes and a friendship that started during the pandemic, Carol and Rev. Bill FINALLY met in person. The meeting brought out old ways of thinking and fresh new ways to misunderstand what was happening. The two dig into the experience, and the metaphysics behind it. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer…

1
Embracing Paradox: The Poetic Imagination 1:11:39

7M ago1:11:39

1:11:39

Have you ever heard the phrase “crazy wisdom”? It’s a mystical concept from Tibetan Buddhism that turns normal logic on its head. In our everyday lives, we’re used to thinking of opposites as completely different. In the spiritual world, things work a little differently. It’s not about things logically making sense but about tapping into something …

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Manifestation and Divine Timing 41:19

7M ago41:19

41:19

Carol notes that there are two concepts, one of of Manifesting... repeating affirmations to create a change in our lives, and one of Divine Timing, in which a power and intelligence way beyond ours is bringing things together. She urges Rev. Bill to point out whether they're connected, and how they work for us. Thank you for listening to the Practi…

1
Evolving Consciousness 42:21

7M ago42:21

42:21

Carol points out that "evolution just happens - you don't get to vote," and that people around her are resistant to change, even though it's going to happen anyhow. Rev. Bill points out that even when nothing changes, there is still newness and change happening. Just try taking one great breath that will last forever! Thank you for listening to the…

1
Spirituality not Religion 48:40

8M ago48:40

48:40

Carol says that religion is dos and don'ts and dogma, brought together with judgement. She believes that spirituality lies beneath it, and can get lost. Rev. Bill agrees, and compares the difference to the ways that we learn to dance. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen! There's more inform…

1
The History of Christian Mysticism - Part II 1:24:11

8M ago1:24:11

1:24:11

On this episode of Nature As Beloved, Nature As Self, we continue our journey through time, surveying the landscape of Wilderness Christian Mysticism. We resume our exploration in the 14th century, where we are introduced to Meister Eckhart. A few centuries later we meet the Spanish mystics, most notably John of the Cross and Teresa of Ávila. Along…

1
Perfectionism and Purposefulness 40:37

8M ago40:37

40:37

Carol has become increasingly aware of the difference between being purposeful, and perfectionism, and the ways that people can deny the presence of the Divine in daily activities. Rev. Bill shares his background as a recovering perfectionist, along with insight about what else shows up when we let go of having the answer. Thank you for listening t…

1
Manifestation & Feeling 42:37

8M ago42:37

42:37

It's a double-topic as Carol brings up the disconnect between our feelings and the "serious" nature of our intention-setting and Creative nature. Rev. Bill confirms that our intentions are fired by our feelings, and the importance of belief and enthusiasm in the change that we're inviting. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - p…

1
Interrupting Karma 43:19

9M ago43:19

43:19

What goes around comes around... karma... You reap what you sow.Carol has found that Traditional Religion includes this idea, but doesn't spend much time talking about it. Rev. Bill explains the New Thought perspective, and how it is a natural expression of the same creative process that is always at work. Thank you for listening to the Practical P…

1
Does God Have a Plan? 41:28

9M ago41:28

41:28

This is a Rebroadcast of Episode 34 from January 2022 Carol wants to know about God’s plan, and how predestination and free will fit together. Rev. Bill talks about finding the unique combination of skills, talents and abilities we’re been gifted with, and how we can put them together for good. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcas…

1
The History of Christian Mysticism - Part I 1:18:41

9M ago1:18:41

1:18:41

What does Christian Mysticism offer us? Many who consider themselves Spiritual But Not Religious (SBNR) sometimes think that Christianity has nothing of value to offer us. Understandably, there are numerous reasons for them to be skeptical. Yet the Contemplative Christian Tradition is not bound to any one institution or denomination. The Spirit of …

1
Meditation 39:13

9M ago39:13

39:13

In her early days in traditional religion, Carol was given a specific, standard technique for meditation. Over the years, the guidance on How to Meditate has changed. Rev. Bill describes the goal and purpose of meditation, and the idea that any technique that gets to the goal is valid and worthwhile. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer …

1
The Difference Between Traditional and Practical Prayer 40:52

9M ago40:52

40:52

Both Carol and Rev. Bill got the idea to revisit this topic from the early episodes of the podcast. It's partly to re-establish this important idea, but even more importantly to share the evolution and growth in understanding that each has been through in the years since beginning the partnership. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer pod…

1
Evolution 44:01

10M ago44:01

44:01

Carol was surprised by a conversation with a colleague who is intent on growing their organization the same way that would have been done before COVID. She's wondering about whether our thinking has to evolve when circumstances change. Rev. Bill points out that every change - and every moment - is an invitation for a new idea. Thank you for listeni…