Best Vanessa Caruso Podcasts (2025)

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GROUP AGREEMENTS AS ASPIRATIONAL MARITAL (RELATIONAL) VOWS 24:09

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1d ago24:09

24:09

Sarah + Vanessa wonder about what it would be like if marital vows, or friendship/relationship aspirations, were modeled after process group agreements.By Sarah + Vanessa

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IS GROUP FOR REALLY DIRECT PEOPLE TOO? 20:07

1d ago20:07

20:07

Sarah + Vanessa talk about whether process groups can still be beneficial for people who don't seem to have a hard time "saying the unsaid."By Sarah + Vanessa

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GROUP AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISAPPOINT AND BE DISAPPOINTED 22:11

9d ago22:11

22:11

Sarah + Vanessa explore the idea that process groups are a place to practice tolerating being disappointed and, possibly even worse, being disappointing.By Sarah + Vanessa

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A FIRST FAILED ATTEMPT AT DESCRIBING PROCESS GROUPS 20:52

9d ago20:52

20:52

Sarah + Vanessa set out to describe process groups and then get distracted by their own embarrassment.By Sarah + Vanessa

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WHY YOU SHOULDN'T LISTEN OR JOIN A PROCESS GROUP 25:06

17d ago25:06

25:06

In their first episode, Sarah + Vanessa talk about why podcasts and process groups are the worst.By Sarah + Vanessa

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SHOULD WE ALWAYS SAY THE UNSAID? 21:55

17d ago21:55

21:55

Sarah + Vanessa begin to answer the question, "Should you always Say the Unsaid?" Spoiler alert: the answer is no.By Sarah + Vanessa

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How to Sabbath in 2023 45:35

2y ago45:35

45:35

Vanessa & Andy welcome back Naomi Yeker (from our most downloaded episode of all time) and new guest Yvonne Mann. Naomi & Yvonne took the season of Lent to explore more deeply the concept and practice of Sabbath. They take some time to reflect on what they learned and give some helpful and insightful ideas for practicing Sabbath in 2023! Resources …

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Lent: Common Abba 41:35

2y ago41:35

41:35

The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray and he did. The way he opens the prayer both connects us to the season of Lent and frames what prayer is and how we're to approach it. Resources mentioned on the show: Peterson, Bolz Weber, and Brueggemann paraphrases of The Lord’s Prayer - Here Knowing God/Knowing Jesus Exercise from Trevor Hudson - …

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Lent - Blooming in the Desert 42:15

2+ y ago42:15

42:15

Vanessa and Andy return with Bear with Me's annual Welcome to Lent Episode. Links mentions: Get Vanessa's Lent Guide here! Vanessa's Blog on Lent - Blooming in the Desert Christine Valters Paintner’s Lent 2023 Retreat/Course "Just Lent" Devotional Recommendation by Vanessa Support the showBy Vanessa Caruso & Andy Withrow

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Spiritual Direction: Getting Started & What to Expect 31:23

2+ y ago31:23

31:23

This is Part 2 follow up to the "Intro to Spiritual Direction" episode. Vanessa breaks down the nuts and bolts of Spiritual Direction - how to find a director and what to expect for fees, your first meeting and beyond. Finally, Vanessa shares her idea of finding God at Disney while Andy looks for God in the Desert. Links & Resources: Here's a link …

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Vanessa's Top 7 Advent Thoughts for 2022 41:24

2+ y ago41:24

41:24

Vanessa picked 7 of her favourite Advent thoughts that have been percolating in her heart and mind for this season and she shares them with us. Resources: Here's a Christianity Today(!) Blog Post from Vanessa with more ideas and resources Vanessa's Gift ideas for locals - Victoria Gift Guide Here's a link to a downloadable Advent Guide from Vanessa…

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Intro to Spiritual Direction Part 1 38:24

2+ y ago38:24

38:24

What is Spiritual Direction? What is a Spiritual Director? What's the value? Should everyone do it? What's the difference between Spiritual Direction and Counseling? Vanessa tells all in this 1st part of a 2 part series. Support the show

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10 Instructions for the Good Life! 41:46

2+ y ago41:46

41:46

Vanessa tells of her run ins with the Law. Andy and Vanessa discuss the ways in which God has made known deep secrets about Himself and us in the Biblical account of the "LAW" and how the true purpose of the biblical Law might surprise us. Support the show

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Vanessa's "How to FALL" Guide 45:26

2+ y ago45:26

45:26

The Autumnal Equinox is on 6:03pm Thursday, September 22nd. Vanessa and Andy kickoff a new "season" with another one of Vanessa's "How to" Seasonal Guides. How do we connect with the season of autumn? What does it mean? How can it give us space for discernment and to listen well to what God might be saying to us through the season? To download Vane…

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Who's Qualified to Share God with Others? 40:20

3y ago40:20

40:20

What is the single most important qualifier for sharing who God is with others? Andy and Vanessa wrap up the Parables Series (AND SEASON 2 of Bear w/ Me) by digging in to Jesus' requirements for being "experts" in a life lived with God. Resources: The Transforming Power of Prayer - James Houston Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth - Walter Brueggemann …

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Disciples as Privileged Insiders - Access, Ancient Wisdom, And Seeing & Hearing God 30:24

3y ago30:24

30:24

What are "Scribes Trained for the Kingdom"? Jesus says that those who know him and follow him are more qualified to speak on and teach about God's Kingdom than the academics and the religious elites. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: The Transforming Power of Prayer by James Houston Domestic Monastery by Ronald Rolheiser Support the show…

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God is Findable! Discerning God's Presence in our Midst 18:16

3y ago18:16

18:16

Our last episode focused on the hiddenness of God and His Kingdom and the reasons behind that. In this episode we continue looking at the Parables of the Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price. How do these parables reveal how we find God and His Kingdom in our midst! Support the show

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Why is God Hidden from Us? 28:31

3y ago28:31

28:31

Part 1 of Jesus' Parables of the Treasure and the Pearl in Matthew 13. One of the major themes of Jesus' parables is that the Kingdom of God is hidden. Why should this be the case? If God loves us why would he hide good things from us? Resources Mentioned in the Show: The Rescue - Documentary Film Support the show…

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“Knock Knock” - What is God Speaking to You in this Moment? 15:02

3y ago15:02

15:02

If God is communicating all the time, how do we listen for him? Andy and Vanessa give some personal examples of what it looks like for them to pay attention to God’s presence and communication in their lives. Check out our new-ish website at www.bearwithmepodcast.com Support the show

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How Will Kingdom Come? Part 2 - The Soils 1:04:57

3y ago1:04:57

1:04:57

What are the obstacles to God's Powerful Word in our lives? Why does God's Word appear to be failing in the world? What role do we play in receiving God's Powerful and Transforming Word into our lives? Vanessa and Andy took a look at these questions and seek to answer them by looking at Jesus' parable about the Sower, the Seed and the Soils. Suppor…

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How Will Kingdom Come? Part 1 - The Sower 1:01:19

3y ago1:01:19

1:01:19

About one third of all of Jesus’ teachings are in parable form. Parables are illustrations, stories to “throw alongside” of life to make a comparison. In Matthew 13 Jesus uses parables exclusively to show HOW God’s hope for creation will come about. And it’s not what we might expect! In this episode we look at the first and, in some ways, primary p…

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How to Make Time for God 43:58

3y ago43:58

43:58

The latest instalment in our discipleship series where we look at some discipleship texts where Jesus is teaching his disciples something specific. In Luke 6:12-16 Jesus goes to a mountain and hand picks the 12 who would be with him and get special access to the “Master” as he lives and teaches. If we’re also considered Jesus followers, what “speci…

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ADVENT: Mary & Elizabeth 52:32

3+ y ago52:32

52:32

**CONTENT WARNING** - This episode deals with themes of pregnancy At the beginning of her 3rd trimester, Elizabeth is surprised by a visit from her relative Mary, perhaps traveling 100 miles on foot to stay with her. But its Elizabeth who has special insight and knowledge of particular details regarding Mary’s hidden situation. Listen in with us as…

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ADVENT: The God Bearer (part 2) 1:04:54

3+ y ago1:04:54

1:04:54

Andy and Vanessa return to the scene of Mary and the surprising news. Recorded in Advent 2020. Check out Vanessa's How to Advent Guide 1. What’s in a name? BEAR with me - 0:00 A short bit on how we came up with the name for our podcast “Bear with Me”. We wanted to talk about this because it helps us with our big focus, which is part 2. 2. The God B…

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ADVENT: The God Bearer 57:45

3+ y ago57:45

57:45

This episode is the first Bear w/ Me episode ever recorded! But since we weren't ready to upload episodes at this time last year and it was an Advent theme, we sat on it. Until now! Living on God Time In this episode, we reflect on the Angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary and her surprising response in Luke chapter 1. Part 1: "In the 6th Month" - T…

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Advent 1 - Get Ready!!! 49:32

3+ y ago49:32

49:32

Vanessa & Andy get ready for Advent with this text from Luke 3. Who is John the Baptist? Why is this a classic Advent text? How do we mark the time in anticipation of "God with Us"? Who hears from God? What are the prerequisites for hearing from God? Where does God like to reveal himself? The answers to these questions might surprise! Check out Van…

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Why it's so Hard to Love Others 55:34

3+ y ago55:34

55:34

Vanessa and Andy are back with a new season of Bear with Me episodes. In this one they tackle love (not just the romantic kind) and why it can be SO SO hard to love others. The Bible surprises us with the answer - HINT: It's less about WHAT we're doing than it is about WHY we're doing it. Tune in to hear more! Support the show…

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C'ya in September for Season 2! 0:35

4y ago0:35

0:35

Thanks for listening and please look for us and Season 2 of the Bear with Me Podcast in September 2021!!! Support the showBy Vanessa Caruso & Andy Withrow

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"How to Summer" Guide 1:04:09

4y ago1:04:09

1:04:09

Vanessa connects with Liz and Anna K to think through how to spiritually prepare for summer both in general and specifically as women. We can do a lot of reflection and mental and spiritual prep for the fall, winter and spring, but summer can catch us off guard. Can we be more prepared for the "Mountains are calling - I must go - YOLO!" season? Fri…

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Why We Feel So Lonely - Rural Edition - Interview with Charis 1:13:27

4y ago1:13:27

1:13:27

We take our recurring theme of Isolation and Community to a rural location featuring an interview with former Tabler Charis Zillman. Support the show

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Does Everyone Have a Mission? Ephesians 4:7-16 PART 2 1:12:39

4y ago1:12:39

1:12:39

The Mission given to followers of Jesus encompasses ALL of Life. Andy and Vanessa explore some of the practical implications of how to take this seriously and what it means for us. Resources and Links: The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society - Leslie Newbigin A Refutation of Moral Relativism - Peter Kreeft Support the show…

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Does Everyone Have a Mission? Ephesians 4:7-16 1:16:36

4y ago1:16:36

1:16:36

We take a break from our Discipleship Series to Return to the Last of our Rooted Focus on Every Member Mission. We long for every-member mission, since all Christians form the body of Christ with each member using their gifts for His mission to the world. How does diversity serve unity? Should Jesus followers be open to a Religious Pluralism? How w…

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How to Follow Jesus in Daily Life - Famous Last Words 2 - Mathew 28:16-20 50:25

4y ago50:25

50:25

We continue our discipleship series by following up with last week's exploration of Matthew 28:16-20 - also known as the Great Commission. In this episode we get into the Meat & Potatoes of Discipleship (Apprenticing / Following). What is involved? What are we supposed to "make" exactly? And how do we do it? Jesus calls us into a complete reorienta…

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Famous Last Words - Matthew 28:16-20 - Discipleship Series 1:06:44

4y ago1:06:44

1:06:44

Andy and Vanessa kick off their Discipleship Series with the last words of Jesus as recorded by Matthew. Are all Christians disciples? Is “doubt” a normal part of discipleship? How does reading (or watching) Lord of the Rings tech me about discipleship? Support the showBy Vanessa Caruso & Andy Withrow

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Creativity as Walking with God, Creation and One Another - Interview w/ Josh Wilton 53:17

4y ago53:17

53:17

Josh Wilton is a pastor, church planter, photographer, and creative communicator who also wrote a novel. He takes us on a tour of his creative processes as a parable for our life with God and one another. Josh talks about 5 guidelines for engaging the world around us and noticing God's Presence: Show up. Don't miss the Moment. Chase the Light. Pay …

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How to Live the Creative Life 1:11:56

4y ago1:11:56

1:11:56

Hunting for Jewels as the Creative Life. --> Matthew 13:44-46 At The Table Church we long to creatively engage with God, one another, creation and culture since we reflect the image of God who creates, renews and restores. In this episode we explore 5 conditions for a Creative Life with God: 1. Alternative Morality 2. Alternative Time Zone 3. Alter…

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Why We Feel So Lonely Part 2 - Interview with Will 1:05:01

4y ago1:05:01

1:05:01

We talk with Will Krzymowski, intern architect and all around great guy, about how thinking about our spaces can help us make more connections with others. Will's Bus Conversion Project - Pic 1, Pic 2, Pic 3 Our friend Hannah's Instagram about how to use the unremarkable moments to make neighbourhoods into places where people are known and belong. …

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How to Think About Being in Community 46:06

4y ago46:06

46:06

This is a sequel to “Does Jesus Require a Sacrificial Fellowship?” Philippians 2:1-11 Vanessa and Andy explore a Sacrificial Life Together That’s Worth It. The kind of community life Jesus calls us to can be an antidote to our social ills and a bright sign in a dark world. Plus, is just showing up a legitimate sacrifice? Practice: Relaxation as hum…

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Why We Feel So Lonely - "The Great Disconnect" 46:04

4y ago46:04

46:04

Vanessa and Andy reflect on "The Great Disconnect", a locally produced documentary on community life in our neighbourhoods. We also tackle "Spiritual Consumerism" that threatens to subvert the Gospel's work in our lives. 1. The Great Disconnect We respond to a documentary that explores how surprisingly isolated we are in our neighbourhoods and how …

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4 Ways to Pray 1:06:18

4y ago1:06:18

1:06:18

Vanessa shares her 4 favourite ways to pray and to think about prayer. A practical guide to shifting our imaginations about prayer and practicing it! Resources & Links: Vanessa's 4 Ways to pray Guide - A companion Prayer Guide to this Episode! Christian Reflections by C.S. Lewis Podcast: Mark Karris - The Perils of Petitionary Prayer Opening to God…

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A Cube or A Cathedral? - The Great Invitation of John 14 53:07

4+ y ago53:07

53:07

John 14:15-26 Vanessa and Andy explore what it looks like to be Invited into a Family Love that Existed before Time Began! Resources & Links: Fall in Love - Arrupe Prayer - IgnatianSpirituality.com You are What You Love - James K.A. Smith Read through NT in 40 days Support the showBy Vanessa Caruso & Andy Withrow

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Does Jesus Call us to a Costly Fellowship? Philippians 2:1-11 58:21

4+ y ago58:21

58:21

Vanessa and Andy dive into a deep fellowship. Why is belonging to one another so central to the Christian life? How do we keep from becoming a doormat when we’re seeking to truly look out for the needs of others and thinking of others “as more significant than ourselves”? Links and Resources: Jesus and the Disinherited - By Howard Thurman Darrell J…

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Lent Prep Part 2: Naomi Tries out Digital Minimalism 1:01:46

4+ y ago1:01:46

1:01:46

Naomi Yeker tried out Digital Minimalism as outlined in Cal Newport’s newest book by the same name on managing our technology according to our values (as opposed to the other way around). Naomi helps us think of what trying out Digital Minimalism for Lent might look like. Resources & Links: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport The Rich Roll Podcast: C…

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Lent Prep Part 1: Fasting, the WHAT, WHY & HOW 48:15

4+ y ago48:15

48:15

Vanessa and Andy explore this big topic and uncover ways to make the ancient spiritual discipline of fasting more understandable and practical. Why is fasting so hard? And why is it important? How might fasting be the key to managing other appetites? What is the relationship between fasting and different kinds of nourishment? What is the relationsh…

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Trailer - A Quick Intro to Bear w/ Me! 7:26

4+ y ago7:26

7:26

Vanessa and Andy give a sneak peak of what their new Podcast is all about, why you might want to consider subscribing, and a little background on what makes them tick! Support the showBy Andy Withrow & Vanessa Caruso