{"id":13212,"date":"2021-06-10T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-10T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/?p=13212"},"modified":"2026-02-26T13:36:05","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T19:36:05","slug":"carl-mccolman-the-symbiosis-of-activism-and-contemplation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/2021\/06\/10\/carl-mccolman-the-symbiosis-of-activism-and-contemplation\/","title":{"rendered":"Carl McColman: The Symbiosis of Activism and Contemplation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"721\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Carl-McColman-721x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"Carl McColman\" class=\"wp-image-13217 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Carl-McColman-721x1024.jpeg 721w, https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Carl-McColman-106x150.jpeg 106w, https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Carl-McColman-211x300.jpeg 211w, https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Carl-McColman-768x1091.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Carl-McColman-380x540.jpeg 380w, https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Carl-McColman-800x1136.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Carl-McColman.jpeg 1009w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 721px) 100vw, 721px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">&#8220;God gives us God&#8217;s grace lovingly, lavishly and abundantly for the purpose that we pay it forward.&#8221; <br>&#8211; Carl McColman<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Season 3, Episode 9 of Messy Jesus Business, hosted by Sister Julia Walsh.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.blubrry.com\/?media_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.blubrry.com%2Fmessyjesusbusiness%2Fcontent.blubrry.com%2Fmessyjesusbusiness%2FS3_E9-Carl_McColman.mp3&amp;podcast_link=https%3A%2F%2Fcustomwordpresssites.com%2Fmjb%2F2021%2F06%2F10%2Fcarl-mccolman-the-symbiosis-of-activism-and-contemplation%2F#mode-Light&border-000000&progress-000000\" scrolling=\"no\" width=\"100%\" height=\"165\" frameborder=\"0\" id=\"blubrryplayer-1\" class=\"blubrryplayer\" title=\"Blubrry Podcast Player\"><\/iframe><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1px !important;\">Podcast: <a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/messyjesusbusiness\/content.blubrry.com\/messyjesusbusiness\/S3_E9-Carl_McColman.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/?powerpress_pinw=13212-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/messyjesusbusiness\/content.blubrry.com\/messyjesusbusiness\/S3_E9-Carl_McColman.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"S3_E9-Carl_McColman.mp3\">Download<\/a><\/p><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_subscribe_links\">Subscribe: <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_spotify\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Spotify\" rel=\"nofollow\">Spotify<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_amazon\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Amazon Music\" rel=\"nofollow\">Amazon Music<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_pandora\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Pandora\" rel=\"nofollow\">Pandora<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_iheart\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on iHeartRadio\" rel=\"nofollow\">iHeartRadio<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_jiosaavn\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on JioSaavn\" rel=\"nofollow\">JioSaavn<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_podchaser\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Podchaser\" rel=\"nofollow\">Podchaser<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_gaana\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Gaana\" rel=\"nofollow\">Gaana<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_pcindex\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Podcast Index\" rel=\"nofollow\">Podcast Index<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/subscribebyemail.com\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_email\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe by Email\" rel=\"nofollow\">Email<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_deezer\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Deezer\" rel=\"nofollow\">Deezer<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_anghami\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Anghami\" rel=\"nofollow\">Anghami<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_rss\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe via RSS\" rel=\"nofollow\">RSS<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/catholic-podcast\/subscribe-to-podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_more\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"More\" rel=\"nofollow\">More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>IN THIS EPISODE:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this episode of Messy Jesus Business, Sister Julia Walsh talks with writer, speaker and storyteller Carl McColman about discovering his vocation as a spiritual director and spiritual teacher. They discuss how medieval mystics and saints and other spiritual teachers inspire him, and how the mystics teach us to tear down the walls that divide us. And they discuss the challenges of being human and being an activist and the importance of contemplation in navigating both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, they explore the messiness of the Christian search, being privileged and human, yet being called to struggle for justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The house is on fire everywhere&#8230;because there are people today who are suffering&#8230;who need liberation, who need advocacy, who need care. And so, no one person can do it all,&#8221; Carl explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ABOUT THE GUEST:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carl McColman is a contemplative writer, speaker, teacher, soul friend, and storyteller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He is the author of numerous books, including The Big Book of Christian Mysticism, Answering the Contemplative Call, An Invitation to Celtic Wisdom and Unteachable Lessons. His latest book, Eternal Heart, will be published in the summer of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Several of Carl\u2019s books have won awards or recognition, notably Befriending Silence which won the 2015 \u201cGeorgia Author of the Year\u201d award in the field of inspirational\/religious writing. His work has been warmly endorsed by many leading voices in the field of Christian spirituality, such as bestselling author Brian D. McLaren who said, \u201cIf you don\u2019t know about Carl McColman and his work, you should.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carl studied at James Madison University (BA, English) and George Mason University (MA, Professional Writing and Editing). His formation in the spiritual life includes training with the Shalem Institute in Washington, DC; the Institute for Pastoral Studies in Atlanta; and the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, GA; where Carl is a Life-Professed Lay Cistercian: a layperson under formal spiritual guidance with the Trappist monks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After a career as a humble bookseller, he entered into full-time lay ministry as a retreat director, writer and speaker. Since 2016 he and his wife have served as adult catechists, co-directing the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation) process at their parish. He is a commissioned Centering Prayer presenter with Contemplative Outreach of North Georgia, and a spiritual director serving individuals both in metro Atlanta and online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carl\u2019s writing appears on numerous websites, including Patheos, the Huffington Post, Day One, Contemplative Life, and Medium. He regularly posts new content to his personal blog at www.anamchara.com\/blog on topics such as Christian mysticism, contemplative practice, Celtic spirituality, and interspirituality (interreligious dialogue).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carl co-hosts the Encountering Silence podcast with filmmaker Cassidy Hall and theologian Kevin Johnson. He also creates video and audio content for his website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carl and his wife, artist Fran McColman, live near Atlanta in a small house filled with cats, books, icons and love. Their daughter, Rhiannon, passed away after a long illness at age 29 in 2014. When they take a break from the work they so enjoy, you may find Carl and Fran wandering around the mountains of western North Carolina or taking long walks along the Emerald Coast of Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can read more about Carl and his work on his website: <a href=\"https:\/\/anamchara.com\/\">anamchara.com.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contemplative Moment features <a href=\"https:\/\/anamchara.com\/prayer-2\/\">A New Prayer for Christian Contemplatives, by Carl McColman.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MESSY JESUS BUSINESS is produced and hosted by Sister Julia Walsh, and edited by Charish Badzinski.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Email us at&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:messyjesusbusiness@gmail.com\">messyjesusbusiness@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>BE SOCIAL:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MessyJesusBusiness\"><br>https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MessyJesusBusiness<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/messyjesusbusiness\">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/messyjesusbusiness<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Twitter: @messyjesusbiz<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SUPPORT US:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/messyjesusbusiness\">https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/messyjesusbusiness<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Sister Julia Walsh talks with writer, speaker and storyteller Carl McColman about discovering his vocation as a spiritual director and spiritual teacher. They discuss how medieval mystics and saints and other spiritual teachers inspire him, and how the mystics teach us to tear down the walls that divide us. And they discuss the challenges of being human and being an activist and the importance of contemplation in navigating both.","protected":false},"author":3902083,"featured_media":13217,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6469729,115341,698755390,2178641],"tags":[6722,553705,698755512,3258382,698755551,698755381,2532117,122652,170743],"series":[698756626],"class_list":["post-13212","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts-and-activism","category-equity-and-justice-equity-and-justice","category-podcast","category-prayer-and-spirituality","tag-activism","tag-author-interview","tag-author-profile","tag-carl-mccolman","tag-christian-authors","tag-contemplation","tag-contemplative-life","tag-faith-in-action","tag-interfaith","series-messy-jesus-business"],"acf":[],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Carl-McColman.jpeg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/feed\/podcast\/messy-jesus-business","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"JtMFEXZ2ij\"><a href=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/2021\/06\/10\/carl-mccolman-the-symbiosis-of-activism-and-contemplation\/\">Carl McColman: The Symbiosis of Activism and Contemplation<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/customwordpresssites.com\/mjb\/2021\/06\/10\/carl-mccolman-the-symbiosis-of-activism-and-contemplation\/embed\/#?secret=JtMFEXZ2ij\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"&#8220;Carl McColman: The Symbiosis of Activism and Contemplation&#8221; &#8212; Messy Jesus Business\" data-secret=\"JtMFEXZ2ij\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script>\n\/*! 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