Fetzer Institute

#SeeingTheSacred" is a collaboration between the Fetzer Institute and Interfaith Photovoice. This project challenges us to #SeeDifferent, to notice how the Sacred shows up in everyday life. For many, something as simple as a convenience store is like any other practical stop in an otherwise bustling day. But sometimes, amidst the aisles of food and daily necessities, we stumble upon something more. Here, tucked between shelves of masa and soft drinks, is an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe — a powerful symbol of faith and devotion that transforms this everyday space into something sacred. Carrasco’s photograph captures the way spirituality lives quietly alongside our daily errands. It reminds us that the Sacred can appear anywhere — even between the most mundane of grocery shelves. We don’t have to go far to find it; it’s already there, waiting for us to notice and be changed by it. Photographer: Alan-Joshua Carrasco #alanjoshuacarrasco #virgindeguadalupe #spiritualityintheeveryday #sacredspaces #SeeingtheSacred

#Selfhelp and #selfcare are always trending. They’ve led to a multi-billion-dollar industry that has spawned a menagerie of esoteric solutions, from powdered drinks to cold-plunge trends to paper-back books spouting infinite interactions on how to care for yourself. What if self-help isn’t enough, though? What happens when self-care falls short? #RainnWilson, host of the #SoulBoom podcast, thinks a Spiritual Revolution is in order — and this was on full display when he made a guest appearance on Kate Bowler’s Everything Happens podcast. In their conversation, the dynamic pair dove into their colorful and challenging pasts. From light-hearted banter about Rainn’s stepmother almost dying in quicksand (don’t worry, she was saved by some friendly Nicaraguans) to a serious exploration of the spiritual tools and connections needed on the frontlines of mental health epidemics, this is a conversation that fearlessly pulls back the curtain on the shortcomings of the self-help movement and the need for a deeper, #spiritual solution. Fetzer Institute is a proud sponsor of the Soul Boom podcast.

Faith is a concept that goes beyond the spiritual. You can also apply it to politics. A recent episode of the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s #GivingDoneRight podcast examined the crisis in civic faith, which is particularly poignant during this current US #election season. In the first portion of the two-part conversation, hosts Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette welcomed guest Eric Liu, co-founder and CEO of Citizen University and a speech writer for presidents. In their conversation, Eric explains how donors can best support democracy and civic engagement efforts. He shares personal convictions as son of immigrants, details the essential nature of supporting literacy in power, and encourages individuals to effect positive change in our communities through the medium of political engagement and civil duty. Fetzer Institute is a proud sponsor of the Giving Done Right podcast.

Did you know that The Great Wealth Transfer taking place between Boomers and younger generations is estimated to be valued at $84 trillion? This naturally raises the question of how this money will be handled over time, especially in charitable circumstances. But, how can you navigate — let alone come to a consensus on — intergenerational #philanthropic priorities? The third episode of Season 4 of the #GivingDoneRight podcast looks at the critical struggle of charitable funds, foundations, and acts that span generations. In their conversation, hosts Grace Nicolette and Phil Buchanan interview Vivian Long, the Executive Director of the Long Family Foundation, to observe how Vivian’s family has successfully managed multi-generational high-net-worth giving during the biggest wealth transfer in history. They explore how the Long family gives together, their approach to building relationships with grantees, and the challenge of maintaining long-term commitment in the philanthropic world. Fetzer Institute is a proud sponsor of the Giving Done Right podcast.

Spacious Praxis: A Documentary on Love, Racial Justice, and Spiritual Transformation The Fetzer Institute recently completed a three-year initiative called Racial Justice Praxis. The goal was to support BIPOC spiritual leaders with existing organizations and proven track records of racial justice impact. They received $200,000 in unrestricted funding to help them continue with existing activities and make an impact with their ongoing work. The soon-to-be-released documentary Spacious Praxis: A Convening on Love, Racial Justice, and Spiritual Transformation explores the final convening of this cohort of spiritually minded, racial justice advocates. Watch the teaser trailer now! #FetzerInstitute #Sacred #RacialJustice #Love #SpiritualTransformation #SacredLove #Teaser #Trailer #Justice

Despite the deeply superstitious nature of Western culture, many around the world still see spirituality as a very real part of life. The non-dual tradition of many cultures and beliefs also leads to the natural conclusion that the unseen world can contain malefic forces as well as good ones. This is the topic that host Joshua Michael Schrei investigated in the latest episode of #TheEmerald. After a brief hiatus, the popular podcast is back on the air, and its latest episode, titled “Guardians and Protectors!” examined the role of guardianship in world tradition. Joshua and his guests spend two and a half hours looking at guarded spiritual spaces and the need to be careful when exploring unseen spiritual concepts. From a deep and complex analysis of guardianship and the traditional establishment of ritual boundaries to surprisingly relatable concepts, like personal space, this is a must-listen episode that is uniquely challenging for Western audiences. Fetzer Institute is a proud sponsor of The Emerald podcast.

A Sacred Meditation: Peace Through Compassion "Extend loving-kindness to yourself. You are the one who's suffering now, and you are worthy of compassionate attention. May you be safe, may you be love, may you be healthy, and may you live with ease." — Rev. Sarah Roelofs With how hurried we are in this world, it’s easy to forget to treat ourselves with the same kindness and patience we offer others. Take a moment now to breathe deeply. Acknowledge your worthiness of compassion. As Sarah reminds us in this meditation, loving-kindness starts within. 🌱 Once we extend it to ourselves, it becomes effortless to share it with others. Reflect on how your interactions with others transform when you approach them with intentionality and kindness. Offer the same wishes for peace and well-being to the world around you, to those you know and even those you don’t. Spend this moment for yourself, and go in peace. Join Sarah in this week’s sacred meditation “Peace Through Compassion” and deepen your connection with yourself and the world through the practice of loving-kindness. #mindfulness #compassion #selfcare #meditation #fetzerinstitute #sarahroelofs #peacethroughcompassion

What is procrastination? Is it prioritizing certain things over unpleasant tasks? Or is it just making room for one thing by ignoring something else? In a recent episode of the #HarryPotterandtheSacredText podcast, co-hosts Casper ter Kuile and Vanessa Zoltan unpacked the nuanced of procrastination through the lens of Chapter 13 of #HarryPotter and the Half-Blood Prince. They primarily pointed the finger at the Headmaster of #Hogwarts himself, Albus Dumbledore. Together, they gauged the degree of procrastination in his actions as he visited the orphanage of Mrs. Cole and connected with one Tom Riddle (the future He Who Shall Not Be Named). Fetzer Institute is a proud sponsor of the Harry Potter and the Sacred Text podcast.

#SeeingTheSacred "Seeing the Sacred" is a collaboration between the Fetzer Institute and Interfaith Photovoice. This project challenges us to "#SeeDifferent," to notice how the Sacred shows up in everyday life. When was the last time you saw true beauty in something seemingly mundane? For many, a grocery store is a routine stop, a simple task in the rhythm of daily life. But what happens when the sacred meets us in these ordinary places? "I go grocery shopping at least twice a week . . . in the neighborhood where I do my practicum, it's a predominantly Jewish neighborhood, and so there is quite a bit of religious food.” — Photographer Alan-Joshua Carrasco In Alan-Joshua’s neighborhood, the kosher section greets him as soon as he walks in. For him, it reflects the deep ties between culture, faith, and daily life. #AlanJoshuaCarrasco #Christianity #Judaism

#SharedSacredStories In our latest podcast episode, Munpreet Kaur discusses the profound experience of connecting with something greater, whether it be our communities or God. She shares a personal story of how, as a child, she learned scripture not by reading but by listening and mimicking the lines sung around her. This process helped her internalize the pillars and truths of her faith from there onward. It’s a potent reminder that the collective nature of spiritual learning and the power of music can make teachings accessible and memorable. Discover how music can foster a deeper connection to the spiritual. Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/dxiU9WHY #spiritualgrowth #musicallearning #communityconnection #fetzerinstitute #munpreetkaur