Today’s podcast is a 13-minute meditation — an audio retreat — on a prayer by the French priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Put on some headphones, find a comfortable spot, and let your soul be quieted.

"There are open vistas available to us in Christ," says Rich Villodas in this conversation with Nathan about the narrow path of Jesus and the quality of a life transformed by the perspectives and practices of Christ.

Show Notes

Rich Villodas is the Brooklyn-born lead pastor of New Life Fellowship, a large, multiracial church with more than seventy-five countries represented in Elmhurst, Queens. Prior to becoming lead pastor, he gave oversight to New Life’s small group ministry and served as preaching pastor. Rich graduated with a BA in pastoral ministry and theology from Nyack College. He went on to complete his master’s of divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary. He enjoys reading widely, and preaching and writing on contemplative spirituality, justice-related issues, and the art of preaching. He’s been married to Rosie since 2006 and they have two beautiful children, Karis and Nathan.

You can find Rich on social media @richvillodas 

The Narrow Path (Rich's new book)

New Life NYC (Rich Villodas' church)

Nate visited with Luci Shaw in her home and recorded this special episode about her life as a poet and the potential she sees in words to call us into conversation with the art form itself and with God.

Mindy Caliguire says that stepping into life with God is like underwater breathing — we have to learn how to do it and use the practical supports available to us. Join Nathan and Mindy for a great conversation about practices for spiritual thriving. 

Brandan Spencer, Renovaré’s Director of Church Engagement, talks with Nate about family life, church renewal, and Renovaré’s new initiative to help communities step deeper into with-God life.

Author and teacher Jan Johnson joins Nate to talk about Jesus' parables that help us understand God's reign. The kingdom parables are the topic of a new book—created from Dallas Willard's teaching archives—and a companion workbook that Jan Johnson created.

Show Notes

The Scandal of the Kingdom Workbook

The Scandal of the Kingdom

Downloadable resources:

• The Foreword and Chapter One
• Chapter One of the Workbook
• Six-Part Sermon Series.

The original audio series (for The Scandal of the Kingdom) is being released week-by-week on The Dallas Willard Podcast.

Want to participate in a course on the book? You can join the interest list here.

Renovaré’s Education Program Coordinator Wendy Dean talks with Nate about wanting what’s best for our kids—and letting God’s vision of the best supersede our own.

Winn Collier, director of the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination, talks with Nathan about hardships that shatter false hopes and the one reality that provides a sturdy place to stand.

Steve and Nate have an honest conversation about whether Christian spiritual formation is a movement or just a moment or fad. They also delve into the importance of total abandonment to God and the gift of brokenness.

Nathan welcomes author Sarah Clarkson to the show to discuss Scottish preacher and fiction writer George MacDonald—a key influence on Sarah’s literary career as well as her faith.

Show Notes

You can find Sarah writing regularly at her Substack, From the Vicarage (sarahclarkson.substack.com) or discover her books at sarahclarkson.com

Recommended by Sarah

1. Free online version of The Light Princess and Other Fairy Stories 
2. Free online version of Princess and the Goblins, one of Sarah’s favorite children's novels by MacDonald
3. Free online version of Lilith, Sarah’s favorite adult fairy tale by MacDonald
4. Sarah’s friend, Dr. Amanda Vernon, is a MacDonald scholar and children’s literature enthusiast.
5. A website dedicated to books, articles, art, and music about, or inspired by, George MacDonald's sermons, lectures, poems, prose, and prayers.
6. Recent Word on Fire edition of The Golden Key.

Poet laureate, professor, and author Ben Myers joins Nate to discuss a book that has been a constant and formative presence in his life: Dante's The Divine Comedy.

Benjamin Myers is the Crouch-Matthis Professor of Literature and the director of the
Great Books Honors Program at Oklahoma Baptist University. A former poet laureate of
Oklahoma, he is the author of four books of poetry as well as of one previous and two
forthcoming books of nonfiction. His poems, essays, and stories have appeared in many
journals and magazines, including Image, The Yale Review, First Things, and Rattle.
He is a contributing editor for Front Porch Republic and lives in Chandler, OK. His most
recent book of poems is The Family Book of Martyrs (2023).

Show Notes

1. The "100 Days of Dante" project.
2. The entire Comedy without commentary. 
3. Ben's article “A Disgusting Poem on God’s Goodness.”  
4. Ben's book The Family Book of Martyrs.