Episodes

  • Coming Soon: The Cosmic We

    Coming Soon: The Cosmic We
    Aug 6 2021
    The Cosmic We is a brand new podcast that goes beyond race and racism to consider relatedness as the organizing principle of the universe, exploring our shared cosmic origins though a cultural lens that fuses science, mysticism, spirituality, and the creative arts. Together with prominent cosmologists, shamans, biblical scholars, poets and activists, Center for Action and Contemplation core teacher Barbara Holmes and co-host Donny Bryant unveil the “we” of us beyond color, continent, country, or kinship to conjure unseen futures in exploration of the mystery of Divine connection.
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    3 mins
  • An Introduction to The Cosmic We

    An Introduction to The Cosmic We
    Aug 27 2021
    On this introductory episode, Dr. Barbara Holmes and Donny Bryant introduce who they are, recap their highlights from the first season and share their hopes for what the listeners will gain from listening to this podcast.
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    10 mins
  • Rediscovering Our Origins with Mikael Owunna

    Rediscovering Our Origins with Mikael Owunna
    Aug 28 2021
    Barbara Holmes and Donny Bryant welcome Mikael Owunna in conversation for this episode of The Cosmic We. Mikael Owunna is a queer Nigerian American multi-media artist and engineer based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Exploring the intersections of visual media with engineering, optics, Blackness, and African cosmologies, his work seeks to elucidate an emancipatory vision of possibility that pushes Black people beyond all boundaries, restrictions, and frontiers. Learn more about Mikael at mikaelowunna.com. This generative conversation is followed by a cosmic reflection by Barbara and Donny on one of the evocative threads offered by Mikael during this episode. Connect with us: To send a question to Dr. Barbara and Donny, or to share your thoughts, comments, or feedback with us about this show: Send us an email. Mikael Owunna: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter The transcript for this episode can be found here. This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!
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    50 mins
  • When Only a Poem Will Do with Rev. Sonia Walker

    When Only a Poem Will Do with Rev. Sonia Walker
    Sep 3 2021
    On this episode, Rev. Sonia Walker joins Dr. Barbara Holmes and Dr. Donny Bryant in conversation for this episode of The Cosmic We. Pastor Sonia’s professional and civic pursuits include service and leadership roles in education, and social work in agency, medical and religious settings. She is currently the Associate Pastor at First Congo in Memphis where she uses her gifts in worship services, congregational nurture, outreach ministries, community network and collaboration. She is a graduate of Memphis Theological seminary and is ordained at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, (Disciples of Christ), she was called as Associate Pastor at First Congo. Her late life call and ordination were no surprise to those who knew her on her other career paths. Connect with us: To send a question to Dr. Barbara and Donny, or to share your thoughts, comments, or feedback with us about this show: Send us an email. Rev. Sonia Walker: First Congo Website The transcript for this episode can be found here. This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!
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    48 mins
  • You Are Loved with Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs

    You Are Loved with Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs
    Sep 10 2021
    On this episode, Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs joins Dr. Barbara Holmes and Dr. Donny Bryant in conversation for this episode of The Cosmic We. Alexis Pauline Gumbs is a Queer Black Troublemaker and Black Feminist Love Evangelist and an aspirational cousin to all sentient beings. Her work in this lifetime is to facilitate infinite, unstoppable ancestral love in practice. She is the author of several works, including her most recent book Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals; series of meditations based on the increasingly relevant lessons of marine mammals in a world with a rising ocean levels and part of adrienne maree brown’s Emergent Strategy Series. To read the full bio, visit Dr. Gumbs's website. Connect with us: To send a question to Dr. Barbara and Donny, or to share your thoughts, comments, or feedback with us about this show: Send us an email. Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs: Instagram | Twitter The transcript for this episode can be found here. This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!
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    53 mins
  • Ritual Journeys through Grief and Joy with Dr. Walter Earl Fluker

    Ritual Journeys through Grief and Joy with Dr. Walter Earl Fluker
    Sep 17 2021
    On this episode, Dr. Walter Earl Fluker joins Dr. Barbara Holmes and Dr. Donny Bryant in conversation for this episode of The Cosmic We. Dr. Fluker serves as Dean’s Professor of Spirituality, Ethics, and Leadership at Candler School of Theology at Emory University; Professor Emeritus of Ethical Leadership (formerly the Martin Luther King, Jr Chair) and at Boston University the editor of the Howard Thurman Papers Project.  Connect with us: To send a question to Dr. Barbara and Donny, or to share your thoughts, comments, or feedback with us about this show: Send us an email. Dr. Walter Earl Fluker: Website | Facebook | Twitter The transcript for this episode can be found here. This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!
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    56 mins
  • Experimental Liturgies with Billy Mark

    Experimental Liturgies with Billy Mark
    Sep 28 2021
    On this episode, Billy Mark joins Dr. Barbara Holmes and Dr. Donny Bryant in conversation for this episode of The Cosmic We. Billy Mark is an interdisciplinary artist who lives and works in Detroit. He’s married to fiber artist, Sarah Mark. His areas of exploration lately have been embodied poetics, experimental liturgies, site-specific music and poetry, and the creative and spiritual resources found in monasticism.  Connect with us: To send a question to Dr. Barbara and Donny, or to share your thoughts, comments, or feedback with us about this show: Send us an email. Billy Mark: Website | Ways a Suit Can Move The transcript for this episode can be found here. This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!
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    41 mins
  • Growing a Global Heart with Belvie Rooks

    Growing a Global Heart with Belvie Rooks
    Oct 28 2021
    On this episode, Belvie Rooks joins Dr. Barbara Holmes and Dr. Donny Bryant in conversation for this episode of The Cosmic We. Belvie Rooks' work weaves the worlds of spirituality, feminism, cosmology and social justice with a passion for dialogue. She is the co-founder of Growing a Global Heart, a project to plant a million trees along the Trans-Atlantic Slave Route in West Africa and the Underground Railroad in the U.S. to honor the millions of lives lost during the slave trade. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology and an MA in Inter-disciplinary Studies in Education and has taught and lectured at a number of colleges and universities including, the State University of New York at Old Westbury, University of the District of Columbia and University of California, Santa Cruz. Connect with us: To send a question to Dr. Barbara and Donny, or to share your thoughts, comments, or feedback with us about this show: Send us an email. Belvie Rooks: Growing A Global Heart The transcript for this episode can be found here. This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!
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    44 mins