Thank you for this. Listening to you and Jack Ridl gives me a new perspective on my writing. I woke up yesterday thinking about how I bliss out when I listen to Aaron Neville sing and I wrote this:
I might make a deal with the devil
if I could sing with Aaron Neville
and I, sometimes, think
I was someone other than me
Then I could be free
But this couldn’t be
Because I’d be me wherever I go
And this I know
So, what to do now
How can I be enough
to deal with the tough stuff
I also know I can’t do this alone
And I can’t just call God on the phone
And I’m just sayin”
I’m not that good at prayin’
I’m gonna try to talk with him instead
and since God is everywhere
he will always be there to listen
I can do this thing
And maybe this will bring
Aaron Neville by to sing
at least on my Apple radio
So, I think I’m done so
I’ll let y’all go
Then, this morning, I tuned in to David's station on Apple Music, and there was Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt singing "Don't Know Much" just like I had sked it to happen.
Thank you for introducing me to Jack Ridl. What a lovely and gentle human being. More than that, thank you for starting “Kitchen Table Conversations”. I feel like im sitting right there with you and your guest. It’s so normal, so natural, so easy-going — something I think we all need these days with blasting and bombastic news.
Two things I really loved in this conversation: “joy is a form of resistance” and “staring time”. Both are part of my life and so very important!
On Jack Ridl and "Take Love for Granted" I especially loved "But you can love each other, the silence, sighing and saying "that's her, that's him" I wrote it in my tribute to my beloved life partner Don as I spoke his eulogy...how in the end, in 30 years together, we learned to truly and deeply love and ACCEPT each other and I would sigh and laugh and say "you gotta love "im!" And you know those little and big frustration would just slide away. Blessings to you both for all you do
"Be glad she leaves her shoes in the hall"....... Presently living with my daughter and her family (husband and 3 teenage boys), I have literally tripped over the collection of shoes that are left in our hallway space that runs down the middle of the house. When I first was reading that line of Jack's poem, I declared out loud, "Ugh!!! ".... but then I paused ..... and I smiled.
One of those sets of shoes is going off to college this Fall.
That thought gave me great emotion, and suddenly I was loving the whole collection in a different way.
Obstacles can sometimes be pretty sacred, you know?
Thank you Carrie and Parker. As some one new to this and Parkers work this is truly wonderful. I totally loved Parkers poem and what he was saying I've just ordered his book let your life speak. I do totally resonated with the experience of the Oneness of life and trying to realise our part in it. I used to struggle because for people like myself my vocation seemed less important but I now realise its quite often the way we live our livez and the simple things we do that equally matter.
I had never even heard of you Carrie until I watched your recent Quaker Speak video and now I'm enjoying your music and poetry and your sharings in these podcasts. Thank you from a Quaker Friend here in the UK. 🙏
Parker Palmer's "Let your life speak" was formative in my journey towards nonprofit work. I read it in an intern program and it was a breath of fresh air when I was wondering if I was wrong to consider turning my desire to help into a life goal.
such a heartfelt and poignant conversation, thank you for sharing. i found my mind generating the question of can we have different vocations at different times or stages of our lives? in addition, what happens when our self-identified vocation is derailed by circumstance (illness, for example)? in these instances, how do we reconcile what we feel called to do and what we are actually able to do?
Delightful and inspiring - thank you! Whether it’s The Growing Edge podcast or this format, I could listen to you and Parker for hours! So much wisdom, so much insight. I truly wish I could be a part of what Parker puts on Facebook every day. You’ve mentioned that often. But I knew when Facebook became available it was not for me. I also have never been on other social media platforms like twitter, TikTok, etc. I realize I may be missing some valuable things, but overall I have always known it wouldn’t be my thing nor would it be good for me. I’ve never regretted that decision except when you mention the wonderful posts Parker has on Facebook. Oh well…I’ve read his books and heard him speak many times. Thanks again for this lovely conversation!
This was a wonderful discussion. My husband and I listened to it around our kitchen table so I felt we were with you in spirit. As a 72 year old I can related to his statement about showing up as our true selves and have found the learning to do it with love and kindness is sometimes a challenge though one to emulate from Parker Palmer. Thank you for this conversation.
I love this conversation. Plan to revisit it again- so many nuggets I want to reflect on more. I love the idea of the thread that comes with us- and looking back to see how - even though things have changed in life- there is the thread that doesn’t. There is the thread of truth and authenticity. Was great to hear Parker say he didn’t notice it in its whole-ness until he was 50. Maybe I am right on time :) I feel encouraged, nourished and so grateful to be part of this beautiful community. Thank you Carrie- I look forward to more conversations at your kitchen table.
I am filled with deep gratitude for this video offering, and like many things, it arrived just in time. My introduction to Parker and “Let Your Life Speak” came at a time of crisis and deep pondering of, who am I, and how do I want to be in this world? I had gone through a similar time in my teens and 20’s, but without the book for help. I was introduced to Carrie’s music and work at a time my spirit was aching for new spiritual language to express all that was going on inside me. And once again, as I navigate this upheaval in our country, I am asking, Who am I, what is my true work in the world, and where do I find my true and authentic footing? So this conversation was a Masterclass for my soul. Thank you both!
Hi Karen, Yes, please feel free to use this series as a small group discussion. When this video is public, I can set up a private link on YouTube that will be easier for the group to access. Contact me at the Substack contact email and we can talk about when this might happen. contact@carrienewcomer.com
Thank you for this. Listening to you and Jack Ridl gives me a new perspective on my writing. I woke up yesterday thinking about how I bliss out when I listen to Aaron Neville sing and I wrote this:
I might make a deal with the devil
if I could sing with Aaron Neville
and I, sometimes, think
I was someone other than me
Then I could be free
But this couldn’t be
Because I’d be me wherever I go
And this I know
So, what to do now
How can I be enough
to deal with the tough stuff
I also know I can’t do this alone
And I can’t just call God on the phone
And I’m just sayin”
I’m not that good at prayin’
I’m gonna try to talk with him instead
and since God is everywhere
he will always be there to listen
I can do this thing
And maybe this will bring
Aaron Neville by to sing
at least on my Apple radio
So, I think I’m done so
I’ll let y’all go
Then, this morning, I tuned in to David's station on Apple Music, and there was Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt singing "Don't Know Much" just like I had sked it to happen.
David Barnard
Thank you for introducing me to Jack Ridl. What a lovely and gentle human being. More than that, thank you for starting “Kitchen Table Conversations”. I feel like im sitting right there with you and your guest. It’s so normal, so natural, so easy-going — something I think we all need these days with blasting and bombastic news.
Two things I really loved in this conversation: “joy is a form of resistance” and “staring time”. Both are part of my life and so very important!
On Jack Ridl and "Take Love for Granted" I especially loved "But you can love each other, the silence, sighing and saying "that's her, that's him" I wrote it in my tribute to my beloved life partner Don as I spoke his eulogy...how in the end, in 30 years together, we learned to truly and deeply love and ACCEPT each other and I would sigh and laugh and say "you gotta love "im!" And you know those little and big frustration would just slide away. Blessings to you both for all you do
"Be glad she leaves her shoes in the hall"....... Presently living with my daughter and her family (husband and 3 teenage boys), I have literally tripped over the collection of shoes that are left in our hallway space that runs down the middle of the house. When I first was reading that line of Jack's poem, I declared out loud, "Ugh!!! ".... but then I paused ..... and I smiled.
One of those sets of shoes is going off to college this Fall.
That thought gave me great emotion, and suddenly I was loving the whole collection in a different way.
Obstacles can sometimes be pretty sacred, you know?
This was worth visiting- thank you for the gentle, kind conversation that offers food for the soul. I look forward to more entries. Have a great day!
Thank you Carrie and Parker. As some one new to this and Parkers work this is truly wonderful. I totally loved Parkers poem and what he was saying I've just ordered his book let your life speak. I do totally resonated with the experience of the Oneness of life and trying to realise our part in it. I used to struggle because for people like myself my vocation seemed less important but I now realise its quite often the way we live our livez and the simple things we do that equally matter.
I had never even heard of you Carrie until I watched your recent Quaker Speak video and now I'm enjoying your music and poetry and your sharings in these podcasts. Thank you from a Quaker Friend here in the UK. 🙏
Parker Palmer's "Let your life speak" was formative in my journey towards nonprofit work. I read it in an intern program and it was a breath of fresh air when I was wondering if I was wrong to consider turning my desire to help into a life goal.
such a heartfelt and poignant conversation, thank you for sharing. i found my mind generating the question of can we have different vocations at different times or stages of our lives? in addition, what happens when our self-identified vocation is derailed by circumstance (illness, for example)? in these instances, how do we reconcile what we feel called to do and what we are actually able to do?
Delightful and inspiring - thank you! Whether it’s The Growing Edge podcast or this format, I could listen to you and Parker for hours! So much wisdom, so much insight. I truly wish I could be a part of what Parker puts on Facebook every day. You’ve mentioned that often. But I knew when Facebook became available it was not for me. I also have never been on other social media platforms like twitter, TikTok, etc. I realize I may be missing some valuable things, but overall I have always known it wouldn’t be my thing nor would it be good for me. I’ve never regretted that decision except when you mention the wonderful posts Parker has on Facebook. Oh well…I’ve read his books and heard him speak many times. Thanks again for this lovely conversation!
Wonderful. Thank you. 🙏💛☀️
This was a wonderful discussion. My husband and I listened to it around our kitchen table so I felt we were with you in spirit. As a 72 year old I can related to his statement about showing up as our true selves and have found the learning to do it with love and kindness is sometimes a challenge though one to emulate from Parker Palmer. Thank you for this conversation.
I love this conversation. Plan to revisit it again- so many nuggets I want to reflect on more. I love the idea of the thread that comes with us- and looking back to see how - even though things have changed in life- there is the thread that doesn’t. There is the thread of truth and authenticity. Was great to hear Parker say he didn’t notice it in its whole-ness until he was 50. Maybe I am right on time :) I feel encouraged, nourished and so grateful to be part of this beautiful community. Thank you Carrie- I look forward to more conversations at your kitchen table.
Thank you!! Wonderful words of wisdom and strength. There is so many difficult distractions today it appreciated your honest and thoughtful words.❤️
Love this! So much Wisdom. I feel calmer already 🙂
I am filled with deep gratitude for this video offering, and like many things, it arrived just in time. My introduction to Parker and “Let Your Life Speak” came at a time of crisis and deep pondering of, who am I, and how do I want to be in this world? I had gone through a similar time in my teens and 20’s, but without the book for help. I was introduced to Carrie’s music and work at a time my spirit was aching for new spiritual language to express all that was going on inside me. And once again, as I navigate this upheaval in our country, I am asking, Who am I, what is my true work in the world, and where do I find my true and authentic footing? So this conversation was a Masterclass for my soul. Thank you both!
Loved the idea of kitchen talks and also loved the chat with Parker! Would it be possible to use these videos for small group discussions?
Hi Karen, Yes, please feel free to use this series as a small group discussion. When this video is public, I can set up a private link on YouTube that will be easier for the group to access. Contact me at the Substack contact email and we can talk about when this might happen. contact@carrienewcomer.com