Author: Compass Podcast

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Join Bishop C. Andrew Doyle—Episcopal Bishop, author, and passionate vinyl record collector—and explore the sacred within the ordinary and the power of embodied spiritual practice. Bishop Doyle opens up about his latest book, “Unabashed Faith: Resisting Spiritual Forces in the Modern World,” and shares practical wisdom on carving out sacred spaces, reclaiming rest in a hyper-connected world and finding spirituality beyond institutional boundaries.

Together, Ryan Dunn and Bishop Doyle discuss what it means to experience faith in a so-called post-religious society, the importance of ritual and physical connection in spiritual life, and how practices like unplugging from technology or cherishing community moments can be deeply transformative. Whether it’s the ritual of dropping the needle on a record or gathering for a simple meal, Bishop Doyle encourages us to see all of life as an invitation into deeper belonging and pilgrimage.

If you’re a spiritual seeker, exploring faith outside traditional religious settings, or simply curious about finding meaning in everyday moments, this episode will inspire you to embrace embodied contemplation and sacred connection right where you are.

Guest Bio:
Bishop Andrew Doyle is the ninth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and a thoughtful voice in contemporary spirituality. Author of several books—including “Unabashed Faith: Resisting Spiritual Forces in the Modern World”—Bishop Doyle is known for his practical insights on faith, community, and the embodied life. He lives in Houston, Texas, where he continues his journey of spiritual exploration—on pilgrimage, and still walking.

In this episode:
[00:00] Spirituality and Connection with Bishop Doyle
[04:54] Embodied Rituals in Post-Religious Society
[09:20] Spiritual Seeking Beyond Religion
[11:06] Balancing Thought and Spirituality
[13:56] Sacred Spaces and Routines
[17:46] Modern Captivity and Worship
[21:06] Digital Economy and Social Disconnection
[26:05] “The Art of Being Present”
[29:51] “Embracing Sacrifice and Connection”
[32:46] Communal Sacramental Experiences
[36:42] Freedom in Faith: A Pilgrim’s Journey
[39:39] Phone Addiction and Life Rules
[42:11] We Need Each Other

Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications. For more episodes and notes, visit www.umc.org/compass

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How do we find spiritual belonging and healing in a world filled with loneliness, uncertainty, and division? In this special episode of Compass: Finding Spirituality in the Everyday, host Ryan Dunn is joined by Dori Grinenko Baker and Anna Del Castillo for a heartfelt conversation about tapping into the “deep wells” of soulful practice, community connection, and personal ritual.

Explore practical and inspiring ways to nurture your spirit—whether through grounding in nature, joyful body movement, morning meditation, or holy listening circles. Learn how simple practices can support mental health, combat isolation, and create bridges across divides. Dori and Anna share research-backed insights, accessible spiritual tools, and moving stories from their work with the intergenerational collective Our Own Deep Wells, empowering you to find meaning and belonging wherever you are on your spiritual journey.

In this episode:
[00:00] “Exploring Everyday Spiritual Practices”
[04:23] Soulful Practices for Well-Being
[07:58] Grounding Meditation and Ancestral Reflection
[10:31] “Creating Inclusive Well-being Practices”
[15:11] College Proctor’s Unexpected Ministry Journey
[18:10] Soulful Practices: Reflection and Connection
[20:42] “Infusing Soulful Practices in Workplaces”
[25:53] “Activism for Peace: A Personal Journey”
[27:36] Creating Spaces for Unity
[31:10] Empowering Community Through Connection

For episode notes and more on Compass: www.umc.org/compass

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Navigating spiritual growth through the Enneagram with Hunter Mobley on Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday. Hunter shares his personal journey from evangelical “five-step spirituality” to a deeper, more contemplative faith that sees spiritual practices as pathways to soul transformation. Discover how the Enneagram can help unearth your truest self, why letting go is key to spiritual growth, and how simplicity makes space for the surprise of the Spirit to show up in unexpected ways.

Listen now for fresh insight into practical faith for everyday life—and get ready to be inspired to ask new questions, try new practices, and rediscover joy in your faith journey.

In this episode:
[00:00] “Journey to Soul-Centered Spirituality”
[03:44] Evolving from Task-Oriented Spirituality
[07:55] Evolving Faith and Personal Journey
[12:01] Enneagram: Path to Inner Transformation
[18:35] “Embracing Mutual Vulnerability”
[19:32] Enneagram’s Deeper Truths Revealed
[22:54] Enneagram’s Intelligence Centers Explained
[27:00] Enneagram and Spirituality Fusion
[34:43] Renewed Energy and Gratitude

Visit with Hunter Mobley and get a copy of “Letting Go, Finding You”: www.huntermobley.com

Find more episodes and notes: www.umc.org/compass

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Let’s explore the fascinating and often complex world of Christian eschatology, unraveling the various interpretations of end times theology. In this episode, Ryan leads us through the evolution of eschatological beliefs—from historical premillennialism to amillennialism, postmillennialism, and premillennial dispensationalism.

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It’s a Biblical exploration of the strange, fantastical and mysterious. From Leviathan to unicorns to UAPs, we’re inspiring curiosity and awe as we see what these strange occurrences and observations in the Bible tell us about the Divine.

In this episode:
[00:00] Introducing a little levity
[02:01] God-human hybrids
[05:18] Sea monster
[07:11] The talking donkey
[09:25] Horned beasts
[10:13] Giants
[11:39] Insanely old people
[14:08] Horned Moses
[15:59] Four-legged fowl
[17:14] Moses’ body
[18:41] The walking dead (where did they go?)
[22:15] Cursed with hemorrhoids
[23:29] Close encounter of the third kind
[25:57] Expressing something of the Divine

Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications and is hosted and produced by Ryan Dunn.

More at www.umc.org/compass

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Lent’s more than a diet; it’s a spiritual journey. Joseph Yoo shares how fasting reveals our hunger and dependence on God. Dive into silence and prayer, and discover what your Lenten practice has to teach you.

Hungry for more Compass? Check out www.umc.org/compass for notes and more episodes.

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In this episode, we unpack the importance of embracing human complexity and the practice of truth-telling in spirituality. From Lauryn Hill to Kendrick Lamar, see how a cultural mixtape can guide one’s spiritual journey. Don’t miss insights on how spiritual seekers can curate a personalized connection to the divine through grounded traditions and ethical practices.

Our guest is Tamice Spencer-Helms, a theologian, public speaker, curriculum developer, and consultant With over two decades of experience in young adult leadership, spiritual innovation, and social change. Tamice brings a deep well of wisdom to their work.

In this episode:
(00:00) Spiritual Mix Taping with Tamice
(03:31) Mixtapes as connectors of faith
(07:36) The mixtape as Black Cultural Expression
(10:07) Rethinking perfection and ethical relativity
(17:48) Find spiritual awe in the modern world
(20:25) Overcoming fear through music
(27:20) Faith and identity in Black America
(31:33) Hush harbors in the modern day
(34:08) Closing

Join us to uncover how the R.E.S.T. mixtape can lead to a richer, more holistic spiritual life: https://umc.org/compass

Keywords: spirituality, faith exploration, hush harbors, mixtape metaphor, spiritual innovation, radical ethics, tethered practices, personal identity and faith, Tamice Spencer-Helms.

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Reverend Corey Turnpenny invites us on an awe-inspiring exploration of spirituality harmonized with the beauty of the natural world. Learn about the innovative faith community, Church in the Wild, where worship occurs beneath open skies, embracing the rhythms of nature and fostering a sense of belonging for those who feel spiritually homeless.

Corey Turnpenny is the founding pastor of Church in the Wild, a unique nature-focused congregation in Upstate New York. Her journey from the UMC Next conference in 2019 led her to create a spiritual haven where individuals reconnect with their spirituality amidst the splendor of creation. Through outdoor worship and a vibrant community, Corey is pioneering a movement that calls people back to nature.

In this episode, explore the fascinating intersection of faith and nature, understand why community gatherings in the wild hold profound significance, and learn how natural settings can enhance spiritual practices. If you’re on a quest for a deeper spiritual connection and appreciate engaging conversations about faith, this episode is for you!

In this episode:
(00:00) Church in the Wild: Nature’s Worship
(08:06) Catching a vision for a new church
(11:45) Doing church in the wild
(13:57) First followers and outdoor community networking
(19:36) A weekly escape to a natural bubble
(21:30) Spiritual practices in nature
(29:15) Spirituality through environmental care
(30:31) Finding peace in nature’s church
(38:10) Learn more

Find episode notes and more episodes of Compass: www.umc.org/Compass

Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications.