How often do you find silence? And do you know what to do with it when you do?
Today’s guest is essayist and travel writer Pico Iyer. His latest book is Aflame: Learning From Silence, which recounts his experiences living at a Catholic monastery in California after losing his home in a fire.
He speaks with Sean about the restorative power of silence, and how ... Show More
Nov 10
Truth in an age of doublethink
We use “Orwellian” to describe everything from campus dust-ups to authoritarian crackdowns. But what did George Orwell actually stand for, what did he get wrong, and what can we learn from him about our age of surveillance capitalism and distraction? Sean’s guest is Laura Beers, ... Show More
52m 16s
Aug 21
How to Be Okay with Silence
Does silence ever feel uncomfortable? Do you fill the quiet with TV, music, or endless scrolling?
Fr. Mike explains why silence isn’t something to fear but something we desperately need, both in our daily lives and especially in prayer. While learning, entertainment, and even gui ... Show More
8m 36s
Jan 2025
How a Wildfire Sent Pico Iyer in Search of Silence
<p>Decades ago, after he lost in home in a California wildfire, the travel writer and essayist Pico Iyer started to go to a small monastery in Big Sur in search of solitude. On this week's episode he discusses those retreats, which he writes about in his new book "Aflame: Learnin ... Show More
42m 56s
Jun 2025
Do you Struggle To Be Quiet?
Most people can’t sit in silence.They fill every space with noise, distractions, and chatter because sitting with yourself is confronting.But what if the real magic happens in the stillness?In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about silence, presence, and the deep disco ... Show More
18m 40s
Sep 2024
Hearing the Unheard: Mindful Listening in the Noisy World
In this Monday night meditation class, we delve into the concept of listening and silence amidst the constant noise of modern life, especially during the election season. Today’s discussion touches on the various sources of human-made noise and their impact on inner peace, the va ... Show More
35m 40s