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Tracks for the Journey will improve your well-being with practical insight and inspiration from progressive Christian spirituality, positive psychology, and justice ethics. Your host is Dr. Larry Payne, a minister, chaplain, and counselor with more than 45 years experience helping people with discoveries on their journey of life. He believes well-being is founded on balanced self-awareness, quality relationships, and active spirituality. Access all the resources of the Network at www.tracksforthejourney.com.
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69 Episodes
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Text me your thoughts! Are you holding onto a secret that's sabotaging your life? The feeling of being "unworthy, unlovable, and broken" is a deeply painful experience that many of us face. This episode explores the powerful emotion of shame and a surprising source of strength: Jesus Christ. Jesus faced profound public shame and from his story we can learn about overcoming the lies we tell ourselves. Discover how to "scorn the shame" and claim your true identity, pushing back against the voi...
Text me your thoughts! Chronic pain is a condition no one wants. Unfortunately, millions live each day with pain that won’t go away. Are there ways to cope with chronic pain? Research has shown that managing chronic pain is possible, separating the reality of pain from the suffering from pain. Suffering can be reduced by skills of coping mentally and physically. In this episode, I’ll share some practical ways to better manage this difficult condition. You can become your best pain manager fo...
Text me your thoughts! I hoped my 3 year struggle with leukoplakia was near an end as my second tongue surgery began. Painful lesions had diminished my quality of life since a Covid infection. My spirituality had been important in the journey and now was under a test again. Would the mercies of God carry me through? This episode continues the story I’ve told in three other segments of the show. I describe what happened and the divine work which I experienced. I hope this final update of my L...
Text me your thoughts! Do you find it hard to “speak up?” There are times when silence is not golden but a matte black that doesn’t meet the challenge when something is wrong. It’s important to gain a voice in these difficult times. In this episode I explore the capacity—and even the responsibility—of speaking up when silence feels easier. Where do we find courage to speak? It grows from self-esteem. For persons of faith, the inclusion in God’s loving family provides a foundation of Worth. T...
Text me your thoughts! A tornado of chaos is roaring across our social landscape today. The mental energy diverted by chaotic events reduces our joy in life. Some may develop a generalized anxiety that infects nearly every thought. We can find help in taming our minds with spiritual insight and a practice called “Safe Place Visualization.” With the chaos everywhere, listen to this episode for practical help in building a needed skill. Segments include: Worry can come from anywhere Gene...
Text me your thoughts! In this personal episode, I share how dealing with a chronic illness brings constant challenge. My experience of treating pre-cancerous oral leukoplakia confronted me physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This episode chronicles the journey from inconvenient pain to risky surgery as the disease progresses. I share my story, theology, and insight with the hope of supporting anyone facing chronic illness or difficult situation. Segments include: A deadly ...
Text me your thoughts! Please hear my confession: I’m Woke. What some use as a condemnation is, for me, a proclamation of what healthy Christian faith is all about. I reveal my support for equal rights, sectarian respect, scientific research, and even—using banned words! Most Americans would join me in my confession. Let’s fight for it! Segments include: Equal Rights for All Equality for Women Respect for All Religions Support of Science Speaking Banned Words Support the show Subscribe to th...
Text me your thoughts! Listen as Raphael and Lexi discuss my essay "Resisting America's Hate Problem." The Source they refer to is the essay which is reprinted below. Their lively conversation brings out the main point: each of us should resist the temptation to fear people who are different as well as refusing the follow leaders who use hate to gain followers. We can break the hate by connecting to people who are different. “They’re eating dogs… eating cats… the people that came in are eati...
Text me your thoughts! This episode of TFJ brings a personal story I hope will promote your well-being. I’ve entitled it “Larry’s Leuko Logbook.” I’ll be sharing my experience with oral cancer. My experience has been part confusing, part frustrating, part frightening, and part amazing--and maybe all those at once. My hope is to share a story that will help you cope with troubles, get some crazy thoughts off my chest, and entertain a bit. Leukoplakia is my nemesis, a growth of painful cells t...
Text me your thoughts! “Scotty, beam us up!” Captain Kirk and the heroes of Star Trek called on the wizardry of 23rd century Transporting to move from one place to another. I recently experienced a mental/spiritual transport through the practice of Lectio Divina. The Latin phrase means, “divine reading.” Monks began the practice 1400 years ago to open their minds to God in a deeper way. Taking time to listen with the heart, rather than analyze with the mind, is central to the practice. In th...
Text me your thoughts! Everyone has some biases that distort our perception of the world. Some of these thought patterns cause us to stumble in relationships, work, or lifestyle. When we break those biases we can enjoy better living. In this episode Raphael and Liexi (from Google Notebook LM) explore common biases, connect with the disciples of Jesus on a wild night voyage, and offer some ways to change the biased thoughts that can hold us back from well-being. Support the show Subscribe to ...
Text me your thoughts! Life brings some hard times that challenge our well-being. A hardy pine tree in Yellowstone Park offers lessons in resilience. The soil of our life will not be perfect. But we can keep growing with intentional care, community, and spirituality. Segments include: A tough tree in Yellowstone Park 0:09 Secrets of the Lodgepole Pine 1:25 Lessons for Resilience in hard times 2:20 Support the show Subscribe to this podcast for only $5 per month to get a monthly bonus episod...
Text me your thoughts! The holidays bring us many opportunities to mix with others. In our diverse society, the person you meet can be celebrating the season as a merry… happy… or whatever… holiday. Our words of greeting can make a difference when diverse opinions abound. What do we say to greet one another without starting a holiday riot? Good theology and love can build solidarity and well-being for everyone. Segments include: A holiday jumble 00:09 Jesus and his d...
Text me your thoughts! You have a choice and the time is now. One Presidential candidate stands tall above the other. Four excellent reasons guided my vote for Kamala Harris. She offers the best economic plans, rational thinking about the issues, personal integrity, and vital faith. America needs her leadership in this challenging time. Support the show Subscribe to this podcast for only $5 per month to get a monthly bonus episode, access to exclusive subscriber-only episodes, and the POSTIN...
Text me your thoughts! “Why is God punishing me?” An answer to the age-old question affects our well-being in many ways. Modern psychology and progressive theology offer insights built on God’s love and human choices which inspire hope in the toughest times of life. Explore the teaching Jesus offered when the disciples struggled with the same question to develop greater resilience in your own journey. Segments include: Everyone knows the answer 1:00 Jesus said, “Not so fast” 2:10 A loving Go...
Text me your thoughts! My understanding of prayer has changed towards a new dynamism and excitement. I've learned to collaborate rather than plead with God. Explore with me some new words that will make a difference in your spiritual devotion. Rather than tossing a hope in the wishing well of prayer for a far-away deity to act, we can join in a synergistic experience with a loving partner. Insights from Open and Relational Theism show the way for new words to enrich your experience. Segments...
Text me your thoughts! Everyone wants happiness. But what if we are missing a key ingredient? Altruism is proven to bring well-being. So let’s be intentional! In this episode, I explore the evidence that giving to help others changes our body and mindset. Choosing these acts on a regular basis may be the ingredient that moves our happiness to a new level. Segments include: The hope of happiness Finding the missing ingredient of altruism Jesus points the way Choosing Intentional Altruism Supp...
Text me your thoughts! You are ready for a path to better well-being, and the Tracks for the Journey Podcast will provide great resources! This brief episode explains the benefits you receive listening. The twice-monthly episodes offers programming that will improve your well-being with practical insight and inspiration from progressive Christian spirituality, positive psychology, meaningful relationships, and justice ethics with Dr. Larry Payne. Support the show Subscribe to thi...
Text me your thoughts! Running the path beneath the giant Sequoias brought a depth to my faith experience. Could going Wild lead to a closer connection to God and the Planet? Explore with me a green path with the perspective of Panentheism, Jesus in the Wild, Ecopsychology, and the battle against plastic pollution. We can learn from Brian McLaren, Ilia Delio, and others a new language of faith discovery that is as old as the planet. Segments include: Discover a Wild Spirituality Panentheism ...
Text me your thoughts! Getting a good night’s sleep is important. But it’s not always easy. Sleep science offers a better tomorrow by improving what happens tonight. Let’s explore more about your well-being through good sleep habits. Looking at the example of Jesus, making a few minutes of pre-sleep preparation, and a tracking your nocturnal adventure can make all the difference! Segments include A casualty of sleepiness The challenges and benefits of good sleep A sleepy Savior Practices for...
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