Pause/Play

We welcome Dr. Cindy Lee to discuss her book Our Unforming:De-Westernizing Spiritual Formation and how her Taiwanese American interfaith upbringing revealed gaps in dominant Western spiritual formation. She contrasts Western patterns (linear, cerebral, individual) with more cyclical, experiential, communal approaches, while integrating a Rest Practice. You'll be sure to understand why we had to have Dr. Cindy Lee on! Tune in for this great conversation!

Save the Date for next year's Annual Pause Play Gathering!

July 6–9, 2027 Kansas City at the Cross Roads Hotel

_______________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Saint Paul School of Theology:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spst.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reverend Dr. Chris Davies — beekeeper, manuscript preacher, mother of chaos — joins us to talk irreverence in the pulpit and what honeybees teach us about rest. Drawing from her column Honey for the Apocalypse, she makes the case for love and honey as tools for surviving the apocalypse.

Chris's Website | https://revdrchrisdavies.com/

Chris's Substack | Honey for the Apocalypse

_______________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Saint Paul School of Theology:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spst.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martial arts instructor, breathwork practitioner, and death doula Ritu Nanos joins Pause Play for a conversation on spiritual autobiography, midlife transformation, and finding restoration through play!

*Note: there were some technical issues with Ritu's mic quality during recording, so parts of the interview are tougher to hear than normal.

Ritu on Instagram

_______________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Saint Paul School of Theology:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spst.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

United Methodist elder Sarah Heath joins Pause Play to talk ministry burnout, creativity, and play — drawing from her former podcast REVcoverypodcast and her own experience stepping back from pastoral exhaustion. Plus: a preview of Theology Beer Camp 2026 (Oct 8–10, Kansas City).

Learn more about Sarah | https://revsarahheath.com/

_______________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Saint Paul School of Theology:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spst.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Chelsea Brooke Yarborough Rejoins us as we prepare for our Annual Gathering! (registration deadline June 1). We explore “micro rituals” of pause, attunement to the body as a loving signal rather than a problem, and the costs of living on adrenaline, perfectionism, and “macro” rest that arrives too late.

Chelsea's Book: ⁠Proclamation Beyond the Pulpit: The Expansive Homiletical Practice of Black Women⁠

Chelsea's Website: ⁠Iamchelseabrooke.com⁠

_______________

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Saint Paul School of Theology:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spst.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

**Get your Early-Bird tickets for our Annual Gathering!**

~Order by the end of April for $100 off!~

In this episode of the Pause/Play Podcast, Soyinka Rahim, explores the transformative power of play, collective spiritual practices, and love as a unifying force. We delve into improvisational movement, racial justice, and the importance of authentic self-expression in community.

Soyinka's Website | https://www.bibolove.us/

_______________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Saint Paul School of Theology:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spst.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Pause/Play Podcast, KJ Song, founder of Sing Praise and a passionate voice facilitator, reveals how embracing playfulness and releasing perfectionism can transform not only how you sing, but how you serve.

KJ's Website | https://kjsong.com/

KJ on Instagram | @Kjpraisesong

_______________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Saint Paul School of Theology:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spst.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Pause/Play Podcast, Molly Brummett Wudel shares her insights on the importance of dialogical preaching, emphasizing the role of play in fostering meaningful discussions within the church. This ~dialogue~ encourages a deeper understanding of the church's role in contemporary society and the necessity of embracing playfulness in spiritual discussions.

Molly's Church Website | Emmausway.net

_______________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Saint Paul School of Theology:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spst.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Pause/Play Podcast, we sit down with Tripp Fuller, and explore the transformative power of play in preaching and ministry. From medieval battles to the theology of play, this conversation delves into the joy and vulnerability that play brings to our lives and faith.

Find all things Tripp is doing @ https://www.homebrewedchristianty.com/

_______________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Saint Paul School of Theology:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spst.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Pause/Play Podcast, we sit down with Ayrika Watson and Colleen Runty to delve into the profound importance of healing through play and grounding practices. They also explore the necessity of slowing down, befriending our nervous systems, and overcoming the discomfort associated with healing.

Colleen's Website | Colleenrunty.com

Ayrika's Simple Practive Page

_______________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Saint Paul School of Theology:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spst.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Pause/Play Podcast!! Today we talk with I’m Rev. James Admans (they/them), also known as Rev. Marge (she/her) about their winding journey through spiritual leadership, entrepreneurship, writing, and the creative arts as a preacher and drag artist! Join us for this amazing discussion!

Marge's Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/cw/theologyqueen

https://www.theologyqueen.com/about

_______________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Saint Paul School of Theology:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spst.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Pause/Play Podcast!! Today we talk with DeAnna Skedel, exploring how to create playful and inviting spaces for creativity, the role of community in artistic expression, and the significance of environment in fostering creativity.

DeAnna on Instagram | ⁠@Deannaskedel⁠

DeAnna's Artist Page | ⁠Artskcgo.com/artist/deanna-skedel⁠

Chapters

05:28 Exploring the Process Over Product

08:09 Creating Playful Spaces for Creativity

14:13 Teaching Methods and Student Engagement

20:19 Bridging Art and Preaching

26:06 Reflection and Interaction with the Audience

_______________

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Saint Paul School of Theology:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spst.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Pause/Play Podcast!! Today we're recapping our wonderful 2025 Pause Play Gathering!

Stay up to date with next years gathering | https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/conference

_______________

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Saint Paul School of Theology:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spst.edu/⁠⁠⁠⁠



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Pause/Play Podcast!! Today we talk with Chelsea Brooke Yarbrough to explore the intersections of playfulness, creativity, and preaching. Chelsea shares her journey to discovering her calling as a preacher, emphasizing the importance of community, risk, and the transformative power of storytelling.

Pre-order Chelsea's Book: Proclamation Beyond the Pulpit: The Expansive Homiletical Practice of Black Women

Chelsea's Website: https://www.iamchelseabrooke.com/

Highlights!

05:36 Exploring Playfulness in Preaching

17:22 Developing Proclamation and Artistic Expression

23:21 The Role of Risk in Preaching

35:04 The Relationship Between Preacher and Listener

41:21 Embodying Playfulness in Life and Ministry

_______________

⁠⁠⁠https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/⁠⁠⁠

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

⁠⁠⁠https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/⁠⁠⁠

Saint Paul School of Theology:

⁠⁠⁠https://www.spst.edu/⁠⁠⁠



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Episode 2 of Season 2! Lora Andrews joins Casey and Amy in person, sharing the joy of founding Roots Church KC. Lora shares her journey as a queer pastor and her commitment to creating an inclusive church that centers the voices of LGBTQ, BIPOC, and young people. You don't want to miss this one :)

https://www.rootschurchkc.org/

Higlights!

07:06 Laura's Spiritual Journey and Call to Ministry

16:52 Play as a Means of Grace in Ministry

26:02 Creative Worship Practices at Roots Church

45:11 Queerness and the Liberation of Faith

01:06:18 Celebrating Small Churches and Community Engagement

_______________

⁠⁠https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/⁠⁠

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

⁠⁠https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/⁠⁠

Saint Paul School of Theology:

⁠⁠https://www.spst.edu/⁠⁠



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

We introduce Season 2 with an excellent conversation with Daniel Hilty, host of the Podcast Play Saves the World. Daniel shares his journey of rediscovering the joy of board games and how it became a powerful ministry tool that brings diverse people together. Tune in to learn how embracing play can foster connections, alleviate loneliness, and restore joy and grace in ministry and personal life.

Higlights!

04:30 Daniel's Journey into Board Games

06:45 Defining Play: A Philosophical Perspective

08:30 The Importance of Non-Instrumental Play

12:12 Play in Ministry and Community

_______________

⁠https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/⁠

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

⁠https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/⁠

Saint Paul School of Theology:

⁠https://www.spst.edu/⁠



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Come To Our Annual Gathering in Kansas City!!

https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/conference

Welcome to the Pause/Play ~Spiritual Rest~ Episode!

We invite listeners to reflect on their relationship to spiritual exhaustion and the complexities of preaching in a modern context. We invite all to find what it means to source spiritual rest for themselves. Come along for the journey!*

Resources Mentioned:

Corinne Ware's Book | Discover Your Spiritual Type

Leah D. Schade's Book | Preaching and Social Issues: Tools and Tactics for Empowering Your Prophetic Voice

Momwell Article | Embracing the 7 Types of Rest: Why Moms Are Exhausted and What Actually Helps

_______________

https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/

Saint Paul School of Theology:

https://www.spst.edu/



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Pause/Play ~Creative Rest~ Episode!

We invite listeners to reflect on the importance of nurturing creativity through practices like creative rest and artist dates, which help replenish the creative reserves necessary for effective preaching. Ultimately, we encouraging preachers to embrace their artistic identities and prioritize their creative well-being.

Come to our second Pause Play Annual Gathering | July 30th - August 2nd, 2015!!

https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/conference

_______________

https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/

Saint Paul School of Theology:

https://www.spst.edu/



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Pause/Play ~Mental Rest~ Episode! We invite listeners to reflect on their relationship to their mental exhaustion, decision fatigue, and the complexities of preaching in a modern context. We invite all to find what it means to source mental rest for themselves. Come along for the journey!

_______________

https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/

Saint Paul School of Theology:

https://www.spst.edu/



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Pause/Play ~Physical Rest~ Episode! We invite listeners to reflect on their relationship to their body, physicality, and find what it means to source physical rest for themselves. Come along for the journey!

Macklen's Website | https://www.macklenmayse.com/

Macklen on Instagram | @macklenmayse

_______________

https://www.pauseplaycenter.com/

Compelling Preaching Initiative:

https://lillyendowment.org/compelling-preaching/

Saint Paul School of Theology:

https://www.spst.edu/



Produced by Josh Gilbert

joshgilbertmedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices