Unaffiliated: The Search for Meaning

In Episode 7 of Unaffiliated, host Kathryn Elliott talks with a man named Ben von Bredow about “Friday night dinner,” a complex, tradition-laden gathering that he participated in for two years while studying in the United States. In the midst of ‘Turkish tea service,’ cordial smoke breaks, and post-dinner exchanges of poetry and song, Ben discovered a group of people committed to mutual self-expression and hospitality.Also in this episode, Ben explains why “strangers must be tamed,” (drawing from children’s book The Little Prince) and describes the philosophy of ‘personalism,’ which he says is at the heart of Friday Night Dinners.Interested in hosting a Friday Night Dinner?Access a typical Order of Events for the dinner here. And, a few more ways you can engage with us at Unaffiliated!on Facebook & Instagram@TheUnaffiliatedPodcastSubscribe to the Unaffiliated Blogunaffiliatedshow.com/unaffiliatedblogSupport the Making of Unaffiliatedunaffiliatedshow.com/support-the-launchLeave us a voicemailspeakpipe.com/unaffiliatedpodcastVisit Kathryn's Websitekathrynecompany.com

In Episode 6 of Unaffiliated, host Kathryn Elliott talks with Rabbi Sara Luria, co-founder of the Beloved Community and mother of three. Sara leads and builds wide-open community by bringing the depth and history of the nourishing and cleansing rituals found within Judaism to people outside of traditional Jewish boundary lines. It's a home-based experiment that both broadens and deepens connection between people, and especially meets the needs of families with young children. Learn more at belovedbk.org. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------And, a few more ways you can engage with us at Unaffiliated!on Facebook & Instagram@TheUnaffiliatedPodcastSubscribe to the Unaffiliated Blogunaffiliatedshow.com/unaffiliatedblogSupport the Making of Unaffiliatedunaffiliatedshow.com/support-the-launchLeave us a voicemailspeakpipe.com/unaffiliatedpodcastVisit Kathryn's Websitekathrynecompany.com

In Episode 5 of Unaffiliated, host Kathryn Elliott interviews Simone Ellin, a freelance writer who decided to track down the women who bullied her in middle school (read her HuffPost article about it that went viral). Simone and Kathryn dig into peer exclusion, building resilience in children, and the poignancy of going back to someone who has hurt you.Help Simone with her book research:Do you have a story about bullying or peer exclusion? Write to SimoneEllin(at)gmail.com.Simone is an associate editor at JMoreLiving.com. Her writing has been published in Pregnancy, Baltimore, Style, Girls' Life, Inside Philanthropy, Lilith, Jewish Woman, Baltimore Jewish Times and other publications.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------And, a few more ways you can engage with us at Unaffiliated!on Facebook & Instagram@TheUnaffiliatedPodcastSubscribe to the Unaffiliated Blogunaffiliatedshow.com/unaffiliatedblogSupport the Making of Unaffiliatedunaffiliatedshow.com/support-the-launchLeave us a voicemailspeakpipe.com/unaffiliatedpodcastVisit Kathryn's Websitekathrynecompany.com

On Episode 4 of Unaffiliated, host Kathryn Elliott talks with Sharon Hogan, a school psychologist and former adjunct professor who has a personal interest in the neuroscience of spiritual experiences. Sharon shares her perspective as a humanist, atheist, free thinker, and scientist. Where do language and spirituality reside in the brain? What if that part of the brain was surgically removed? How does this relate to Reeses peanut butter cups? This and more, when you listen in.---> Feel free to check out Sharon's blog here and her memoir about growing up with an autistic sister in the 1960's and 70's, here on Amazon.More books discussed in Episode 4:Living with a Wild God (by Barbara Ehrenreich) - hardcoverThe Spiral Staircase: My Climb Out of Darkness (by Karen Armstrong) - paperbackLying Awake (by Mark Salzman) paperbackThe Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief (by Francis Collins) - paperbackAging with Grace: What the Nun Study Teaches Us About Leading Longer, Healthier, and More Meaningful Lives (by Dr. David Snowdon) - paperback-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------And, a few more ways you can engage with us at Unaffiliated!on Facebook & Instagram@TheUnaffiliatedPodcastSubscribe to the Unaffiliated Blogunaffiliatedshow.com/unaffiliatedblogSupport the Making of Unaffiliatedunaffiliatedshow.com/support-the-launchLeave us a voicemailspeakpipe.com/unaffiliatedpodcastVisit Kathryn's Websitekathrynecompany.com

On Episode 3 of Unaffiliated, host Kathryn Elliott talks with Sy Castells, a transgender writer, poet, and activist from the Cleveland area. Their wide-ranging discussion touches on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and suffering; exploring ultimate questions with science fiction; and the importance of showing presence by listening. --> Check out honest and entertaining articles by Sy Castells on Sy's Medium page. Best of Science Fiction RoundupLearn more about some of our favorite space-related TV shows (all featured in this episode) at the links below!Stargate SG-1 Dr. Who Star Trek: The Original Series Star Trek: The Next Generation More ways you can follow us!on Facebook & Instagram@TheUnaffiliatedPodcastSubscribe to the Unaffiliated Blogunaffiliatedshow.com/unaffiliatedblogSupport the Making of Unaffiliatedunaffiliatedshow.com/support-the-launchLeave us a voicemailspeakpipe.com/unaffiliatedpodcastVisit Kathryn's Websitekathrynecompany.com

On Episode 2 of Unaffiliated,  host Kathryn Elliott talks with Vijay Parthasarathay, an anthropologist and cultural strategist who cares deeply about human dignity and the art of vulnerable connection. Together they discuss empathy, validation, and the common good from agnostic and Christian viewpoints.Follow us!on Facebook & Instagram@TheUnaffiliatedPodcastSubscribe to the Unaffiliated Blogunaffiliatedshow.com/unaffiliatedblogSupport the Making of Unaffiliatedunaffiliatedshow.com/support-the-launchLeave us a voicemailspeakpipe.com/unaffiliatedpodcastVisit Kathryn's Websitekathrynecompany.com

In the first episode of Unaffiliated: the Search for Meaning, host Kathryn Elliott speaks to a woman named Geneva Toddy about her Baptist upbringing, the deaths and breakups that sparked her search for meaning, and expressions of love that resonate.Follow us!on Facebook & Instagram@TheUnaffiliatedPodcastSubscribe to the Unaffiliated Blogunaffiliatedshow.com/unaffiliatedblogSupport the Making of Unaffiliatedunaffiliatedshow.com/support-the-launchLeave us a voicemailspeakpipe.com/unaffiliatedpodcastVisit Kathryn's Websitekathrynecompany.com

In this trailer episode for season one of the Unaffiliated podcast, host Kathryn Elliott shares about her quest to ask both non-religious and religious individuals about the search for meaning and connection. Coming up in Season One:Conversations with broad-minded and thoughtful guests of all backgrounds who open up their life experiences, insights, and their personal journey to make sense of this world, its people, and its mysteries.Join us every Tuesday for conversations with guests who are pursuing empathy, inspiration, transcendence and love. Move between different social circles to learn and connect with new perspectives. Get curious and compassionate as you discover the dignity and the depth of each person who joins us on Unaffiliated. Follow us!on Facebook & Instagram@TheUnaffiliatedPodcastSubscribe to the Unaffiliated Blogunaffiliatedshow.com/unaffiliatedblogSupport the Making of Unaffiliatedunaffiliatedshow.com/support-the-launchLeave us a voicemailspeakpipe.com/unaffiliatedpodcastVisit Kathryn's Websitekathrynecompany.com