Interview: Malcolm Guite on Pipe Smoking and Stillness
A huge treat: Malcolm Guite joins the podcast!In our fast-paced, ever-connected world, we've largely forgotten the art of being still. But what if stillness isn't simply the absence of activity—what if it's actually a practice that requires intention, ritual, and presence?Join Brian Brown and Matthew Clark as they sit down with renowned poet and theologian Malcolm Guite for a contemplative conversation about pipe smoking as a case study in the spiritual discipline of stillness. Opening with Malcolm's own poem "Smoke Rings from My Pipe," this episode explores how a simple ritual can become a pathway to what T.S. Eliot called "the still point of the turning world."In this episode, we discuss:Why stillness is both desperately needed and increasingly difficult in our ageHow memory and presence intersect in moments of contemplationHow physical objects and rituals can anchor us in the present momentFar from escapism, this conversation reveals how true stillness prepares us for better action in the world—and how sometimes the most profound spiritual practice is simply learning to "enter the standing Sabbath of the trees."Whether you're a pipe smoker or simply someone longing for deeper rest in our restless age, this episode offers both theological insight and practical wisdom for cultivating the lost art of being fully present."Make a place to sit down. Sit down. Be quiet." —Wendell Berry
--------
1:03:53
--------
1:03:53
Distraction and Mastery
What would it mean–for us, our families, and our vocations–if we could learn to be fully present?Join us as we explore the story of Taran Wanderer—a young man eager to skip to mastery but forced to learn that true craft begins with getting your hands dirty in the raw materials. Through Lloyd Alexander's tale of smithing, weaving, and pottery-making, we dive into why our souls, like Taran's hands, need to be trained in stillness before they can create anything worth keeping. From the decision fatigue of modern life to the machine expectations we place on ourselves, this conversation unpacks why we struggle to be present and offers practical wisdom for reclaiming the art of attention. Because sometimes the path to finding yourself isn't found in charging toward the next thing—it's discovered in learning to be fully present to what's right in front of you.__Get tickets now for "A Long Expected Feast" -- Sept 19-20 2025 in Colorado Springs!
--------
50:37
--------
50:37
Tolkien's Enigma (with C.R. Wiley)
An exploration of human vocation through the lens of one of Tolkien's most strange and mysterious characters. Featuring special guest C.R. Wiley, author of "In the House of Tom Bombadil."
--------
56:43
--------
56:43
Finding the Great Story in the Kitchen Sink
Do you ever feel like you're stuck in the mundane while waiting for your "real" purpose to begin?In Disney's Encanto, Mirabel spends years wondering when she'll get her magical gift and finally enter the family story—only to discover she was already part of it all along. Like Mirabel, many of us view ordinary moments as distractions from the "real" important work of our lives, constantly waiting for that someday calling or dramatic purpose.But what if Christianity isn't about escaping the ordinary—what if it's about discovering the Great Story right in your kitchen sink?Join us as we explore how our daily faithfulness in seemingly mundane tasks isn't preparation for the Great Story—it's precisely how we enter the Great Story. Discover why there are no ordinary things, and how Christians can learn to mobilize the world immediately around them for the glory of God.
--------
1:01:27
--------
1:01:27
Planting Trees
What does it mean to “practice resurrection,” as Wendell Berry put it?It’s easy to look at the chaos and barrenness of the world and think we can’t make much of a difference. At least not without being some kind of superhero. What good is planting a tree in a wasteland? In this episode, the gang explores a different vision, provided by the story, “The Man Who Planted Trees,” by Jean Giono. Because maybe, just maybe, there’s a way forward.
It’s easy to see this world as disenchanted, and to give up hope that there’s more. But you were made to see the world with the eyes of heaven. And to live a bountiful life that participates in the life of God. Delve with Brian Brown and Sarah Howell into the great stories and their meaning for real life.
Netherlands