Meaningful Journeys

Climbing the Holy Hill

In this episode, I talk with Jennifer Trainer Thompson, the Executive Director of Hancock Shaker Village in Western Massachusetts. The Village has a special exhibition entitled Climbing the Holy Hill that channels the Shaker pilgrimages of the 19th Century. 

Study Abroad and the Quest for an Anti-Tourism Experience

In this episode, I talk with professors John J. Bodinger de Uriarte and Michael A. Di Giovine about their new book Study Abroad and the Quest for an Anti-Tourism Experience. We discuss the history of study abroad programs and how these programs have evolved into more meaningful experiences for students, educators, and local hosts.  

Pilgrimage and Spiritual Awakening

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Miles Neale, who is a Buddhist psychotherapist, author, teacher, and leader of pilgrimages around the Buddhist world. We talk about his experiences as a pilgrim as well as how he approaches pilgrimages as a leader. And, we delve into the integration of psychotherapy and pilgrimage experiences. 

Berkshire Camino

In this episode, I talk with Mindy Miraglia, the founder and CEO of Berkshire Camino. We discuss how her pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago inspired her to start her business during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also talk about the significance of outdoor walking as a way to cope with pandemic and as a sustainable practice.

The Flauting Harper

In this episode, I talk with Anja Bakker about her many pilgrimage journeys. Anja is a harpist and has traveled with her harp across hundreds of miles of pilgrimage routes. We talk about her experiences playing for pilgrims and the episode ends with a sample of Anja’s beautiful music.  

The Story Pilgrim

In this episode, I talk with Darren Hill, who is a performing artist, storyteller, and pilgrim. We talk about his pilgrimages and how he performed the play Underneath the Lintel 26 times as he walked the Camino. Darren is also the founder of www.thestorypilgrim.com. 

A Conversation with Dane Munro

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Dane Munro, who is a resident academic at the Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture (ITTC) at the University of Malta. We talk about his publications, the concept of post-pilgrimage, and being a Knight in the Order of St. John.

Pilgrim Paths

In this episode, I talk with Peggy Eppig, a pilgrim and independent researcher. Dr. Eppig has written about pilgrimage from ecological and environmental studies perspectives. We delve into her varied pilgrimage experiences along the Underground Railroad in the US and the Camino in France and Spain. We also discuss pilgrimages to sites of environmental disaster.

Apprenticeship Pilgrimage

In this episode, I talk with Lauren Miller Griffith, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Texas Tech University and Jonathan S. Marion, Associate Professor of Cultural Anthropology at the University of Arkansas. We discuss the concept of apprenticeship pilgrimage and their book on the topic entitled Apprenticeship Pilgrimage: Developing Expertise through Travel and Training. We also talk about their rich professional and personal backgrounds and the pilgrims whose lived experiences inspire their work. 

Pilgrimages to India

In this episode, I talk with Raghunath about his pilgrimages to India. We also wander through a discussion about the pandemic, his identity transformation, his passion for teaching others, and what it is like to be a pilgrim while also leading others on sacred pilgrimages.