❤️‍🔥WONDERFUL💔❗️

This stunning podcast is soul nourishment. Simultaneously sophisticated and accessible, Paul and his guests give voice to our shared human condition. At the end of every episode, I find myself thinking — “gosh, I want to be friends with that person” (and with Paul, too). 10/10.

Paul - this episode with Jim touched my heart and soul at a deep level. Your friendship, mutual respect, and love for each other radiates through your conversation. Thank you for this contemplative gift!!!

Your episode with James Finley was so inspiring, I listened twice. Your podcast I’d on point. Continue the sacred work.

Thank you, Paul, for hosting Jim Finley. I began listening to Turning to the Mystics during the pandemic. I regard it as nothing less than life saving because I work in health care. I’ve also been a student of Richard Rohr, and have learned a great deal from his writings, and from the daily newsletter from the CAC. This led me to enroll in the course mystical sobriety. I look forward to reading Jim‘s book the healing path. I believe Jim, to be a courageous Contemplative, because he has shared his own experience of trauma and grace with us. Thank you. Nanette gremillion

It’s not about the beer… A simple but powerful lesson in the both/and worldview, and s reminder Thank you!

This podcast brings poetry, meditation, music, theology, and the big questions together in a way that makes me feel like I’m on a hike in the woods with curious open-hearted friends. Discovering Contemplify has helped me feel less alone in my own contemplation. Thank you for the gift of these interviews, questions, and musings.

Genuine, uplifting interviews.

Richard Rohr said, “The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.” Paul’s podcast is a good place to learn the practice of the better. I appreciate the hopeful conversations.

Paul asks the right questions and then listens well. His own reflections are warm, poetic, and accesible for those pursuing a more intentional life.

I’m a podcast junkie. I’m subscribed to all kinds of podcasts for thinkers, writers, and creatives. Usually I’m picky and only download a select few episodes from each show, but Contemplify is the exception: I eagerly wait for each release. Paul has that rare balance of whimsy and insight, speaking just as eloquently about beer as he can about the human spirit. He asks the best interview questions, and his sincerity is contagious. Cheers to Paul, Contemplify, and the community of contemplatives!

Paul consistently brings interesting voices into dialogues that I learn from. Really thoughtful and well done. Wish there were more podcasts like this one!

Paul creates the feeling of community with this podcast. One of his favorite tropes helps — he asks his guests what drink would go with the interview, which invites the listener to imagine having a cup of green tea or a shot of bourbon with them. Paul dives into the formation of the writer (usually he talks to writers) and the work, which often reflects a spiritual search, another touch point for the listener I’d like to hear more content to illustrate the context, readings from the works they are referencing

I would not say that follow through is my strong suit, however, Contemplify has inspired more follow through in me than any other podcast. Books bought or borrowed, music listened too, poems read, movies watched, space found for a quiet sit. In fact, Paul’s work inspires such follow through, that I have been slow to listen to all of the episodes--but that’s the point, isn’t it? To slow down and take time contemplating the ideas, the art, and the thinkers that Paul introduces. Of the topics Paul takes up in his ongoing trek across a spiritual terrain, my favorites are the intersections of the ordinary with the contemplative; parenting, family life, work, making coffee, greeting neighbors. Paul invites listeners into contemplative practices, both his own and those of others, with such honesty and vulnerability that the podcast itself stands as an invitation to simply try while also offering us the assurance that the outcome, however imperfect, will be worth it.

I just read the piece about water. The length if the passage taken from the book was originally off-putting. But I read it anyway. I dove in and am so glad I did. The depth of all being of water. The depth of water connecting all. So powerful and spiritual. Almost impossible to find words to explain this passages impact on me - on us. Thank you so much

I listen to a lot of podcasts with a lot of topic variety, but this has lately been my go to favorite, maybe it's because he always asks his guests what drink they would pair with the talk? Always a voice of reason, interesting guests, a voice made for radio and I don't feel talked at, I feel like I'm eavesdropping on a fascinating conversation and not in a creepy way. Thanks Paul

I stumbled upon Contemplify when searching for some content on Thomas Merton. As others have said in their reviews, I was hooked after one listen. This is my go to podcast now and I don’t see that changing any time soon. Paul’s interviews are high quality and enlightening and I come away feeling blessed after every listen. Keep up the great work!

Contemplify is a breath of fresh air for those of us trying to find meaning in a vapid society. Such a wonderful contemplative space.

I listened to 1 episode and I'm in. The interview was deep and meaningful. A true podcast for the long-form! Very well done! Worth the highest of ratings.

This podcast has been such a great find for me. Contemplify inhabits a profound and wise space for those trying to move more deeply into a contemplative life. Worth the listen.

Paul has a wonderfully inquisitive, positive and thought-provoking style. He asks great questions and ponders answers alongside his guests in an elegantly humble and playful manner. I love this podcast.

Paul is incredibly thoughtful: ponders great questions and dives into them in a courageous way-perfect for the contemplative path.

I like this but the audio is horrible. Please fix!

Such diverse voices drawn out with clarity, wit and empathy! Paul Swanson's insightful interviews are rich in content and a delight to hear...listen and you will be rewarded.

I consistently come away from a Contemplify podcast challenged and encouraged. The conversations between Swanson and his guests are free of pretense and always point me towards examining my own life. The guests are off the beaten path who offer lives lived with wisdom. Swanson holds the examined life to be important, but doesn't take himself too seriously - it's a wonderful combination. Enjoy!

I love this podcast for its intimate conversations around contemplative themes and its scope -- inclusive of multiple kinds of journeys, traditions, stories and experiences -- religious and non-religious. Paul Sawnson drops a question into the conversation and then gets out of the way as the person's answer unfolds. I agree with reviewers who note the many great book references which come up. This podcast is both heady and heartfull. Enjoyable and challenging.

I was only recently pointed toward this lovely podcast. There are fruits here to be savored: Simone Weil, Thomas Merton and more. A blessing to my spiritual practice.

Enjoy Paul's perspective and depth of inquiry into today's big questions of how we maintain balance in our high-pace world.

Enjoyed episode 24 with Peter Traben Haas. First time listening. I too practice centering prayer and stumbled across this show. Plan on listening to other episodes on my daily commute to and from work! Glad I came across this podcast!

This podcast is a creative blend of humor, intelligent conversation, life sustaining information, and just plain delightful listening time spent every episode so far. Thanks for this great effort!

Paul Swanson is a briliant, affable host, carefully crafting custom beats for his guests to riff on. These are resonant, articulate and insightful questions which build a framework flexible enought to allow the conversation to flow and rigorous enough to draw fresh pearls from even the most seasoned writers and thinkers out there today. Beautiful and provacative – this is must-hear material fresh from the southwest.

What I love most about this podcast is the way it soothes me and stirs my soul. Paul's low-key interview style is the perfect introduction to the guests and content, while their intelligent and deeply thoughtful conversations unfold. I've bought more than a couple of the guests' books after listening!

This is now one of my very favorite podcasts: wise guests probing life’s depth dimensions from varied traditions and backgrounds, stirred with Paul’s smart, inquisitive, and no-frills interviewing style makes for a soulful, ever-relevant and enjoyable listening experience. To be paired with beverage of choice. Thank you, Contemplify, and highly recommended!

Deep conversations without pretense. A collection of spiritual stories paired with libations for the journey.

For the "On Being" set, or anyone curious about how others (John Muir, Simone Weil, etc) have met the big questions and sorrows of life -- I love this podcast. The format is simple, which allows the insights and funny bits to really shine. But Contemplify's real power is that it makes you reconsider what is possible/ most important in your own life, and inspires the courage to do it. Listen to it in your car, and you might just turn around in mid-route, and decide to go someplace else entirely. Also handy for a steady stream of book (and drink) recommendations on/by great contemplatives (as distinct from great philosophers).

Thanks for this podcast. It's surprisingly relevant in my context which seems to be less and less contemplative. I really like the style of the podcast and how Paul really just keeps the guest talking rather than trying to make it about him. I can't wait to hear more of these and listen to authors and scholars I might never have the opportunity to talk with.