Get Your Spirit in Shape - United Methodist Podcast
161 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 61 ratingsLooking for a healthier spiritual life? UMC.org’s free 30-minute podcast, brought to you by United Methodist Communications offers interviews, advice, and resources, to help you get—and keep—your spirit in shape.
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Episodes
The path to General Conference: One delegate’s story
April 19, 2024 08:00 - 31 minutes - 28.6 MBJessica Vittorio is a lawyer by trade, someone who spends her workdays amid conflict and difficult settings. As a lay delegate at the upcoming General Conference, the lifelong United Methodist knows the business of the church also can be challenging at times. But what she has found while preparing for the denomination’s largest legislative gathering […]
God’s gift, our responsibility
April 05, 2024 08:00 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBIn late 2023, the Rev. Emily Carroll from Shady Grove United Methodist Church in rural Louisiana, traveled to the United Arab Emirates to meet up with 100,000 attendees of the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Rev. Emily shares about her experience, the hopeful takeaways and what we all can do to be better stewards of […]
Retirement + power tools + RV = NOMADS
March 15, 2024 08:00 - 33 minutes - 31 MBA nomadic life may conjure images of aimlessly traveling with no sense of destination. For lifelong United Methodists Tammy and Rodney Ripley, who have been NOMADS for several years, their lives are far from aimless and destinations are denomination-related churches, camps and other sites where the couple joins fellow retirees to offer hope in the […]
Discovering thin places: How to encounter God in everyday life
March 01, 2024 09:00 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBThe phrase, “thin places,” dates back to the ancient Celts who used it to describe those times when we feel closest to the God, as if the veil between the natural world and spiritual world becomes very thin. The Rev. Jane Ellen Nickell discusses how to discover these sacred spaces in our own lives where […]
Love yourself: A fresh perspective on 1 Corinthians 13
February 16, 2024 09:00 - 32 minutes - 30 MB1 Corinthians Chapter 13 often is referred to as the “love chapter.” Following the verses as a checklist of what love is, we might find that we’re better at loving others than we are at loving ourselves. But to practice the commandment that Jesus calls out as the second most important – Love your neighbor […]
Meet Bishop Tom Berlin
February 02, 2024 09:00 - 36 minutes - 33.9 MBThis “Get Your Spirit in Shape” episode is part of our “Meet a bishop” series. Bishop Tom Berlin, a lifelong United Methodist who grew up near Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, credits his local church with creating a strong sense of community in his life. Following a call when he was a summer camp counselor, the 2022 […]
Wellness in 2024: Divine inspiration meets Wesleyan wisdom
January 19, 2024 09:00 - 32 minutes - 29.9 MBThe topic of health and wellness isn’t new to the 21st century. Numerous Scriptures encourage us to take care of ourselves, reminding us that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, wrote a book on the topic titled “Primitive Physick,” and encouraged 18th century clergy to both […]
GC worship leader blends diversity and ministry
January 05, 2024 09:00 - 26 minutes - 36.4 MBServing as worship leader at The United Methodist Church’s General Conference is a feat that Raymond Trapp is embracing by offering music that both showcases the diversity of the church and also meets people at their point of need. Trapp shares insights into his musical strategy, his selfcare routine for the 11-day event and how […]
When Christmas is blue: A guided meditation with Cindy Serio
December 15, 2023 09:00 - 21 minutes - 13.3 MB‘Tis the season for all things merry and bright. Except when you’re feeling sad, lonely and perhaps grieving. Retired United Methodist pastor Cindy Serio discusses why Christmas can be a challenging season for some folks and shares a guided meditation that acknowledges that you might feel blue at this time of the year while offering […]
United Methodists combat HIV/AIDS with compassion and action
December 01, 2023 09:00 - 33 minutes - 46.2 MBHIV and AIDS aren’t in the news much anymore as the western world has gained access to life-saving medications and cases have decreased. Despite the good news, the worldwide HIV/AIDS pandemic still exists, with the World Health Organization reporting a startling statistic: Of those people living with AIDS who don’t receive treatment, 95 percent die. […]
Being United Methodist: A guide and celebration
November 17, 2023 09:00 - 34 minutes - 48.4 MBLet’s celebrate being United Methodists! That single sentiment is the overarching message from a trio of United Methodist pastors – Andy Langford, Sally Langford, Ann Langford Duncan – whose new book, titled “Being United Methodist Christians,” reflects on the history and theology amid worldwide diversity, and urges members to embrace our unique contributions and be […]
Empathy: The key to showing God’s love in a complex world
November 03, 2023 08:00 - 36 minutes - 50.1 MBNavigating through the complexities of current conflicts, like the one between Israel and Hamas, can be challenging. The Rev. Dr. Ron Bell discusses how empathy, meaningful action and making room to see the humanity of others can help us rise above the political and news-driven narratives to model Christ’s love in a polarized world. More […]
Unwrapping the sights and sounds of Christmas with Matt Rawle
October 20, 2023 08:00 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBChristmastime is filled with sights, sounds, tastes and smells. United Methodist minister and author Matt Rawle shares how our sensory experiences of Christmas can deepen our connection to the season’s narrative and help us create a more meaningful Advent. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here. Have a question or […]
Personal discipleship: The move from passive to active
October 06, 2023 20:17 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBPersonal discipleship is more than attending Sunday School and reading the Bible. The Rev. Stacey Harwell-Dye shares her thoughts on how following Jesus can move us into action in our churches and our communities. Today’s episode, which marks the 150th episode for “Get Your Spirit in Shape,” was recorded as part of the 2023 United […]
Moving beyond limited words for a limitless God
September 15, 2023 08:00 - 25 minutes - 23.4 MBWords matter – even the ones we use when we talk about God – or perhaps especially the ones we use to talk about God. Meg Lassiat from The United Methodist Church’s General Commission on the Status and Role of Women discusses how words can limit or expand our relationship with God and how Scripture […]
Quests, community and faith: Online gaming with a mission
September 01, 2023 08:00 - 42 minutes - 39.6 MBSharing our faith where people commonly gather is a concept as old as John Wesley. The Rev. Dr. Adam Sowder believes, if Wesley were alive today, the founder of Methodism definitely would be gaming on Twitch, chatting on Discord and streaming his sermons across social media. Methodist Gaming, which Adam started, is an online community […]
Confronting trauma, building resilience
August 18, 2023 08:00 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBTrauma is universal and trauma, especially unaddressed, can affect how we engage with one another both inside and outside of our church communities. The Rev. Christy Miller White discusses how our behaviors can bring healing and offers practical tips for helping others and ourselves develop resiliency to live with trauma. More information and a full […]
Courageous conversations: Why kindness beats niceness
August 04, 2023 08:00 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBCourageous conversations have nothing to do with being nice and everything to do with being kind, gentle and loving. The Rev. Dr. Scott Hughes of The United Methodist Church’s Discipleship Ministries asserts that engaging in structured dialogues of learning – or courageous conversations – could create space for the most radical hospitality of all, a […]
A poetic journey to healing with Stephon Void
July 21, 2023 08:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBCrying out in grief. Thanking God for mercy. Asking for strength. Like a psalmist, Stephon Void used poetry to express how he felt as he navigated his father’s terminal cancer diagnosis, as well as his own chronic health concerns. Stephon’s new book, “A Healing Journey,” chronicles the cradle United Methodist’s path that eventually brought him […]
Meet Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth
July 07, 2023 08:00 - 39 minutes - 23.6 MBWhen Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth was 9 year old, he prayed aloud at his small Alabama church, resulting in a standing ovation. His grandma then squeezed his cheeks and proclaimed that her grandson would preach one day. Though he was intent on becoming an architect, a stint in the U.S. Air Force set the teen on […]
Anti-racism work: Intentional learning, intentional action with Andrea Gauldin-Rubio
June 16, 2023 07:00 - 31 minutes - 17.9 MBUnited Methodist Andrea Gauldin-Rubio, a white woman who grew up in the rural south, shares about examining biases and recognizing white privilege, while acknowledging that anti-racism work should be ongoing and focused as much on action as on education. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here. Have a question or […]
Understanding justice through a faith lens with ViaFaith McCullough
June 02, 2023 07:00 - 25 minutes - 14.9 MBAt a young age, ViaFaith McCullough learned that people are more than their circumstances. After spending a summer as a college intern with The United Methodist Church’s General Board of Church and Society, this cradle United Methodist discovered a deeper understanding of justice and found that, when we work together, even our simplest ideas can […]
From depression to joy: One man’s story with Pete Wright
May 19, 2023 07:01 - 29 minutes - 16.9 MBPeople have told Pete Wright that, from the outside, his life looked trouble-free: loving wife and kids, fulfilling career, all the signs of success. On the inside, Pete has struggled for years with chronic depression. He shares the story of his journey, from a place where he once attempted suicide to discovering joy in the […]
The Healing Power of God’s Creation with Beth Jones
May 05, 2023 07:00 - 30 minutes - 16.7 MBMany of us seek God in the natural world, whether we backpack in the mountains, walk through a forest or relax by a lake. The Rev. Beth Jones shares how the discipline of slowing down and noticing God’s creation has the ability to heal us physically, emotionally, and spiritually, as well as repair and renew […]
Meet Bishop David Wilson
April 21, 2023 06:00 - 36 minutes - 21.2 MBIn this special “Meet a bishop” episode of “Get Your Spirit in Shape,” we meet the Rev. David Wilson who recently made history as the first Native American to be elected as bishop of The UMC. Bishop Wilson tells us how growing up in The UMC prepared him for his current ministry role, the highest […]
Grief and compassion for such a time as this with Linda Holbrook
March 17, 2023 08:00 - 21 minutes - 15.8 MBUnited Methodists may feel grief as the denomination experiences disaffiliations. A spiritual director shares tips for healing while explaining why compassion is needed during this fragile time.
Leading with love in the classroom and beyond with Tiffany Anderson
March 03, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 16 MBIn this episode, a school superintendent who was recognized by former President Obama, honored at the Oscars, and is a candidate to be a UMC deacon, shares where she finds joy, including how living out the Gospel for her includes sitting on the floor with a classroom of kindergarteners. More information and the full transcript […]
Meet Bishop Delores Williamston
February 17, 2023 09:00 - 28 minutes - 22 MBBishop Delores (Dee) Williamston, the first Black woman elected as bishop in The UMC’s South Central Jurisdiction, is a grandmother who discovered her call to ministry at a skating rink while supervising a group of 50 kids from her local church. More info and a full transcript of the conversation are available on our episode […]
The curious path to better listening with Luke Edwards
February 03, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 21.4 MBUnited Methodist pastor Luke Edwards discusses how to develop listening as a spiritual discipline, a practice that when rooted in curiosity and love can transform our communities, our churches and our faith. More info and a full transcript are available on our episode page. Share your thoughts with us: [email protected]
Spiritual trauma: Gaining insight, showing love with Christy Holden & Derrick Scott III
January 20, 2023 09:00 - 41 minutes - 28.2 MBSpiritual trauma happens, even in the church. Rev. Christy Holden and Derrick Scott III discuss why some have experienced spiritual pain that may make the church feel unsafe. They share ways we can prevent harm and encourage healing as conduits of God’s love. Learn more about this episode on our website. Have questions or comments? […]
Pilgrimage: A path to getting unstuck with Steve Manskar and Chris Heckert
January 06, 2023 09:00 - 43 minutes - 24 MBPilgrimages are not tourism. Rather, these holy treks have the power to change lives. The Rev. Steven Manskar and the Rev. Chris Heckert discuss their roles as both pilgrimage leaders and pilgrims on “Get Your Spirit in Shape.” Learn more about this episode at https://www.umc.org/en/content/pilgrimage-a-path-to-getting-unstuck-get-your-spirit-in-shape-ep-132 Have questions or comments? Email us at [email protected].
Stories behind the songs of Charles Wesley with Paul Chilcote
December 02, 2022 09:00 - 33 minutes - 24 MB“Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” is indisputably one of the most popular Christmas hymns of all time. When Charles Wesley penned the lyrics, however, the opening line read, “Hark, how all the welkens ring!” World-renowned Wesley scholar Paul Chilcote shares fun and interesting insights about a selection of Wesley hymns and explains how all of […]
A conversation about words we use and misuse with Enger Muteteke
November 18, 2022 09:00 - 32 minutes - 18.8 MBWhat is gaslighting? What is cultural bias? What is implicit bias? We hear these terms in the news, on social media, perhaps even at church. Dr. Enger Muteteke who works with The UMC’s General Commission on Religion and Race, shares how understanding the terms and viewing them through a scriptural lens can help us build […]
Shut down your inner critic, find healing with Andrew Lang
November 04, 2022 08:00 - 35 minutes - 25.7 MBWe all have an inner critic, that voice in our heads that is sometimes quite loud telling us we are not good enough, we are not in control and even that we are not lovable. In his new book, “Unmasking the Inner Critic: Lessons for Living an Unconstricted life,” author Andrew Lang shares steps for […]
Empowering families by reimagining missions with Laura Horvath
October 21, 2022 08:00 - 23 minutes - 16.1 MBAfter more than 20 trips to Africa to work primarily with vulnerable children who often lived in orphanages, Laura Horvath and her work with Healing Children Worldwide, has determined that centuries’ old wisdom about caring for underserved areas may need reimagining. Laura shares how the lessons she learned while working with communities across the globe […]
The enduring influence of Charles Wesley with Paul Chilcote
October 07, 2022 08:00 - 38 minutes - 28.8 MBWhen it comes to the Brothers Wesley, most people know John as the preacher and Charles as the hymn writer. What is less recognized, however, is how Charles, the younger of the two, was a trailblazer, often forging ahead of his brother. The Rev. Dr. Paul Chilcote, world-renowned Wesley scholar, discusses the lingering influence of […]
UMC campus ministries: A place to belong with Kyla Smith
September 16, 2022 08:00 - 17 minutes - 10.7 MBAs a freshman at Memphis State University, Kyla Smith was shy and introverted when she joined her college’s Wesley Foundation chapter. Two years later, Kyla has been transformed into a leader who now believes she can take on anything, as evidenced by her role of traveling to United Methodist churches throughout the state to speak […]
‘I am’: Jesus revealed in the Gospel of John with Matt Rawle
September 02, 2022 08:00 - 39 minutes - 32.4 MBSeven times in the Gospel of John, Jesus describes himself in ‘I am’ statements: I am the light of the world, I am the bread of life, and others. In this episode, we talk with the Rev. Matt Rawle about his new book ‘Jesus Revealed’ and how the ‘I am’ statements depict a beautiful mosaic […]
The Wesleys enduring message for The UMC with Ashley Boggan
August 19, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 26.5 MBIn the mid-1700s, John and Charles Wesley were known as radical dissidents who had a lot to say about the church, faith and following God. The UMC’s General Commission of Archives and History’s chief executive, Dr. Ashley Boggan, shares why the Methodist movement message shared by John and Charles Wesley remains relevant almost 300 years […]
Encouraging men to live boldly with Greg Arnold
August 05, 2022 08:00 - 34 minutes - 23.6 MBHelping men live a bold life of faith by overcoming isolation and anxiety is a passion for the chief executive of United Methodist Men.
Re-listen: Meet Bishop Thomas Bickerton
July 22, 2022 08:00 - 23 minutes - 14.6 MBIn this re-release of a 2020 ‘Meet a Bishop’ episode of Get Your Spirit in Shape, Bishop Thomas Bickerton of the New York Episcopal Area and now President of the Council of Bishops talks about his knowledge of glass, his interest in every person’s story and his love for his work.
The spiritual antidote to injustice with Leah Wandera
July 10, 2022 17:56 - 40 minutes - 24.1 MBLeah Wandera, the first United Women in Faith deaconess in Africa, is working to bridge The United Methodist Church and the global community through her work in social justice advocacy and public health.
Navigating dementia: A guide for loved ones with Elizabeth Schulman
June 24, 2022 08:00 - 24 minutes - 15.3 MBLoneliness, grief, anger, exhaustion and a longing for peace. United Methodist pastor and author Elizabeth Shulman says these emotions frequently surround families dealing with dementia. In her new book, Finding Sanctuary in the Midst of Alzheimer’s: A Spiritual Guide for Families Facing Dementia, Shulman offers steps for how caregivers, as well as members of the […]
Find wholeness and balance with the Enneagram with Suzanne Stabile
June 10, 2022 08:00 - 47 minutes - 29.8 MBUnited Methodist and Enneagram master Suzanne Stabile shares how she uses the Enneagram to feel closer to God and how it can help us achieve more balance and wholeness in our daily lives.
The need to be a well-informed church with Tim Tanton
May 27, 2022 08:00 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MBPeople of faith cannot be effective and relevant in the world today if they are not well informed, says Tim Tanton, who oversees UM News. On today’s episode of “Get Your Spirit in Shape,” Tim shares details about the news agency of The United Methodist Church and shares why UM News is an important ministry […]
Silent no more: One pastor shares mental health struggles with Vance Lowe
May 13, 2022 08:00 - 27 minutes - 17.6 MBFor more than 38 years, the Rev. Vance Lowe was a successful United Methodist minister, with churches growing and thriving under his leadership. What his congregations and those closest to him did not know was that Vance daily struggled with mental illness, which led to addiction and eventual hospitalization in a psychiatric ward. Listen as […]
EarthKeepers: Loving Creation across the Generations with Cary and Caleb James
April 29, 2022 08:00 - 27 minutes - 16.1 MBNo plastic for 30 days! That’s the challenge the Rev. Cary James Jr. and his 16-year-old son, Caleb, recently undertook in support of their roles as EarthKeepers, trained by the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, to address topics such as environmental justice, green technology and waste reduction in their communities. […]
Jesus’ path from pain to triumph: a guided meditation with Cindy Serio
April 14, 2022 17:59 - 21 minutes - 13.6 MBYou are invited to ponder the events of Jesus’ final hours on earth through the contemplative spiritual discipline of guided meditation. The Rev. Cindy Serio, a retired United Methodist pastor and current spiritual director, leads us through the narrative as we stay attentive to God’s invitation to us.
Finding humor in holy moments with Robert Darden
April 01, 2022 08:00 - 22 minutes - 12.6 MBDid Jesus laugh? Did he find humor with his friend, the disciples, as they moved through the region? Robert Darden, Baylor University professor and religious humorist, emphatically says, “Absolutely!” Learn how humor can be a part of your faith journey in this conversation Darden, author of “Jesus Laughed: The Redemptive Power of Humor.”
E. Stanley Jones: Gandhi’s friend, King’s mentor with John Harnish
March 18, 2022 08:00 - 26 minutes - 16.1 MBTime Magazine called Dr. E. Stanley Jones the most important missionary of the 20th century. Commissioned by the Board of Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Board in 1907, Jones traveled the world, befriending Mahatma Gandhi and inspiring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to adopt non-violent methods in the Civil Rights movement. The Rev. John […]