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In this conversation, Christine Sine interviews Danae Ashley whose book 'My Sap is Rising: A Pilgrimage of Holistic Mental Health Healing with Hildegard of Bingen and Alfred Adler' aims to bridge the teachings of Hildegard and Adler in the context of health. They also discuss the concept of being a liturgical rebel. Danae shares her experiences with mysticism, the importance of personal rituals, and her passion for storytelling. The discussion also delves into the life of Hildegard von Bingen, exploring her contributions as a mystic, healer, and visionary, and how her legacy continues to inspire today. Christine and Danae discuss how chronic illness may be connected to deeper spiritual insights and the importance of understanding mental health holistically. The conversation emphasizes the value of community in mental health and the potential of spiritual experiences. They discuss the influence of Adlerian psychology and the significance of spiritual foundations in the healing process.

Takeaways

• Liturgical rebels seek connection to God outside of church.
• A mystical experience is any intense experience of connection to God.
• Hildegard von Bingen's work bridges spirituality and mental health.
• Holistic healing rests on spiritual foundations.
• Both Hildegard's healing and Adler's psychology treat and focus on the individual as an indivisible whole.
• Spiritual practices can include creative approaches to faith.
• Exploring nature spirituality is essential for holistic healing.
• Community engagement is vital in spiritual practices.

The Rev. Danae Ashley is an Episcopal priest, Adlerian psychotherapist, international speaker, and voiceover actress in the Pacific Northwest. Danae uses art, music, drama, poetry, and movement in counseling, spiritual direction, and creation of ritual. She has written for various online publications, as well as being a contributor to podcasts, books, and producing a play about fertility struggle. Danae's book, My Sap is Rising: A Pilgrimage of Holistic Mental Health Healing with Hildegard of Bingen and Alfred Adler debuted in March 2026. When not reading, writing, or speaking about Hildegard, you may find her traveling with her husband, making sure their rescue dog is living his best life, dancing with wild abandon to Celtic music, and serious karaoke. Learn more about her work at www.danaeashley.com.

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In this episode, Tim Soerens and Christine Sine discuss the reimagining of church and neighborhood renewal, emphasizing the importance of community stories and needs. They explore innovative models like the Parish Collective and impact investing aimed at fostering local flourishing and spiritual renewal. Tim emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and support for marginalized groups, aiming to create multicultural communities where everyone can thrive. Christine also shares her background and recent works focused on creative spiritual practices and Celtic Christianity.

• Tim Sorens advocates for a radical rethinking of church roles where the church is fundamentally about transforming lives and neighborhoods.
• The Parish Collective grew from grassroots conversations.
• The concept of parish emphasizes community and shared life.
• Creative solutions are emerging to repair local economies.
• Attention to grassroots stories is crucial for community development.Access to capital is vital for community growth.
• Multicultural communities are essential for acceptance and flourishing.
• The Parish Collective focuses on neighborhood flourishing.
• Tim's book 'Everywhere You Look' explores church presence in daily life.
• Community transformation requires active engagement with the marginalized.
• Sharing stories strengthens community bonds.

Tim Soerens is the Co-Founding executive director of the Parish Collective, a network of churches around the United States focused on neighborhood flourishing. He recently wrote, “Everywhere You Look: Discovering the Church, Right Where You Are.” His co-authored first book “The New Parish: How Neighborhood Churches Transform Mission, Discipleship, and Community" (Intervarsity Press, 2014) won multiple awards, including Christianity Today’s award of merit. He lives in Chicago with his family.

He can be reached through the Parish Collective or Tim Soerens websites.

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In this conversation, Christine Sine and Ragan discuss the profound impact of birding on personal growth, spirituality, and ecological awareness. Ragan shares his journey into birding, the tools available for bird identification, and the lessons learned from observing birds in their natural habitats. The discussion touches on the importance of understanding migration patterns and the conservation challenges birds face in urban environments. Ragan and Christine explore the profound connections between birding, spirituality, grief, and ecological awareness. They discuss how birding can enhance our listening skills, the importance of grieving what we love, and the need for participation in beauty rather than possession. Ragan discusses the possibility of finding life where many birds do and where Jesus called us, in marginalized spaces.

Takeaways
Birding can be a meaningful spiritual practice.
Faith and nature are intertwined.
Birding encourages attention, mindfulness and presence.
Birding offers a pathway to understanding our place in God's world.
Connecting with nature can lead to deep spiritual insights.
Modern technology, like birding apps, enhances the birdwatching experience.
Birds serve as a gateway to understanding larger ecological systems.
The seasonal patterns of birds help us connect with the rhythms of nature.
Beauty is best appreciated through participation, not possession.
Birds can teach us about life in marginal spaces.
Active listening can deepen our spiritual practices.

Ragan Sutterfield is a priest in the Episcopal Church and serves a parish in his native Arkansas. He is author of the book is "Watch and Wonder: Birding as a Spiritual Practice". His writing has appeared in a variety of places including The Christian Century, Sojourners, The Oxford American, Plough, and The Englewood Review of Books. Ragan's writing and interests are focused at the intersection of faith and ecology where he brings his background in birding, permaculture, and soil ecology into conversation with philosophy, theology, and the Christian spiritual tradition. He writes regularly about these topics at "The Way We Practice" on Substack. Ragan seeks to live the good life with his wife Emily and daughters Lillian and Lucia.

Find out more about Christine Sine on
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