The Friary

Br. Jay
  • 5.0 (5)
  • RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Friary, a digital sanctuary for those deconstructing, reconstructing, and seeking a deeper, more mystical connection with the Divine. Hosted by Br. Jay, a Franciscan brother, this podcast explores faith. From the ancient wisdom of St. Teresa of Avila and St. Francis to modern voices like Richard Rohr, we move past the binaries of modern religion to find a sacramental, inclusive, and contemplative path. Whether you are carrying church hurt, wrestling with doubt, or simply longing for a more "Ancient-Future" spirituality, there is a place for you here at the Friary.

  1. FEB 16

    The Scandalous Kiss: Mysticism, Deconstruction, and the Eucharist

    If you’ve ever walked into a sanctuary carrying questions heavier than the stones in the walls, this episode is a chair pulled up just for you. In this episode of The Friary, Br. Jay invites us out of the "library of the mind" and back to the heat of the fire. For many who have walked through spiritual deconstruction, the old maps of certainty have failed. We’ve unraveled the knots and doubted the dogmas, yet a persistent ache remains—a "homing beacon" for a God who refuses to remain a mere concept. Drawing from the "scandalous" language of the Song of Songs and the visceral mysticism of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, Br. Jay explores the Eucharist not as a dry ritual, but as a Divine Union. In this episode, we discuss: The Quantum Heart: Br. Jay shares his recent contribution to Keith Giles’ new book on Quantum Theology. The Lover and the Beloved: Why the Church Fathers and Mystics used erotic language to describe the soul’s hunger for God. Faith After Deconstruction: How the "broken bread" is the perfect meal for those who feel "unraveled." The Franciscan Path: Finding the Creator of the Stars hiding in a simple crumb of bread. Whether you are "smoking and crackling" like the wood in St. John’s fire or you are ready for the "kisses of His mouth," come and discover why the table isn't for the full—it’s for the starving. Stay in the Union. Keywords: Eucharist, Sacramental Life, Franciscan Spirituality, Christian Mysticism, Spiritual Deconstruction, Quantum Theology, Keith Giles, Song of Songs, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, The Universal Christ, Faith after doubt, LGBTQ affirming Christianity, Contemplative prayer, Progressive Catholicism, Healing from church hurt.

    19 min

  2. FEB 9

    Being a Christian in the Age of ICE

    We talk a lot about following Jesus. But we rarely talk about where he actually goes. In this episode, I speak plainly and unapologetically about a truth that runs straight through the Gospels. Jesus identifies himself with the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed. Not symbolically. Personally. Drawing from Scripture, the witness of the saints, and everyday life, this conversation explores why caring for the poor is not a side issue of Christian faith but central to it. This is not about politics or guilt. It is about discipleship, proximity, and learning to recognize Christ where he has already chosen to be found. If you have ever tried to keep Jesus comfortable, spiritual, and out of the way, this episode might lovingly ruin that plan.

    13 min

  3. FEB 2

    What the Church Can Learn from Those Who Left Her

    In this episode of The Friary, Brother Jay sits down with who friends Saxon and Dave for a brave, unguarded conversation about faith, loss, integrity, and the cost of staying when staying no longer feels honest. This is not a debate.It is not a deconstruction spectacle.And it is not an attempt to pull anyone back. It is a listening practice. Together, we explore what pushed them away, what the Church misunderstood, what grief still lingers, and what kind of repentance and change might make faith communities safer, humbler, and more trustworthy in the future. If you are still in the Church, this episode invites you to listen without defensiveness. If you have left, it offers language for grief without bitterness. If you are somewhere in between, you are not alone. Pull up a chair.The door is open.

    59 min

  4. JAN 26

    A Vatican Advisor Comes Out: Faith, Freedom, and Theology for the Unwanted

    A gay Catholic told Pope Francis: “We just want Jesus Christ too.” In this episode, Daniel Tillson, Theology for the Unwanted, shares his journey from secrecy in a conservative parish to advising the Holy See, and the moment Pope Francis told him, “The Church does not condemn you.” We explore the blessing of gay couples, what’s happening in Belgium, and how Catholic doctrine develops over time. Not a debate. A real conversation about faith, truth, and belonging. You can find Theology for the Unwanted Podcast here. Order the Theology for the Unwanted Book. Follow them on Instagram at theounwanted

    49 min

  5. JAN 19

    Seeing Clearly: Loving God, Self & Neighbor - A Spiritual Journey Through Faith, Cross & Self-Love

    In this episode of The Friary, we explore one of the heart questions of faith: What does it really mean to love God, ourselves, and others? Jesus’ teaching on the two greatest commandments — to love God and love your neighbor as yourself — points us into a deeper truth about spiritual vision, identity, and transformation. We trace this thread from the story of creation, through Christ’s call to take up our cross, into the work of spiritual healing and the renewal of our vision. Along the way we draw from Scripture, Franciscan theology, and a powerful poem by Rumi that invites us to see love not as fragmented but as one unified movement. Whether you’re wrestling with self-worth, seeking a deeper experience of God’s presence, or longing to make your faith more embodied and generous, this conversation will invite you to: rethink what it means to love yourself rediscover the image of God within youand learn how loving others becomes a natural overflow of divine loveThis episode is for seekers, believers, and anyone longing for spiritual growth, clarity, compassion, and connection. Share this with someone who needs encouragement today. Like, follow, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps others find this conversation and grow in faith and love.

    18 min

  6. JAN 9

    A Wider Altar

    In this episode, Br. Jay sits down with Bishop David Strong, presiding bishop of the Apostolic Catholic Church in America, to explore the Independent Sacramental Movement and the kind of ministry that takes shape beyond traditional parish walls. We talk about priesthood on the margins, the healing power of sacrament, and what it means to build a Church that makes room for LGBTQ people, African American communities, and all those told they did not belong. We also explore how New Thought spirituality has shaped Bishop Strong’s theology, bringing together inner transformation, divine presence, and embodied faith. This is a conversation about a Church still being born, about power that looks like blessing, and about God showing up wherever love is allowed to breathe. Pull up a chair. The table is wide.

    56 min

  7. 12/30/2025

    The Table and the Compass

    "God draws straight with crooked lines." We’ve all heard it, but what does it actually look like when your life feels more like a zigzag than a straight shot? This week at The Friary, Brother Jay dives deep into the "crooked lines" of his own journey-from the pain of being kicked out of a fundamentalist church to finding a radical, expansive home as an Episcopal Franciscan. It’s a story about panic attacks at Pride services, the "Jesus-adjacent" life, and the startling realization that the God who promised "I will never leave you" actually meant it. As we stare down a New Year, we’re ditching the "Hustle" and the "Apathy." We’re looking for a Third Way. In this episode, we explore: Why your "Vision Board" might be keeping you from seeing what’s actually there. The shift from a Map (which is rigid) to a Compass (which is directional). How to find "The Table" when you’ve been told you don’t belong. A Franciscan rhythm for 2026 that is about beholding rather than achieving. Whether you are a devout contemplative, a cynical seeker, or someone just looking for a gentler way to exist in the world—pull up a chair. The door is unlocked. Let’s breathe, settle in, and begin.

    13 min

  8. 12/08/2025

    Finding God in the Noise: Vocation, Suffering, and Hope with Dean Tyler Richards

    In this heartfelt episode of The Friary, Brother Jay sits down with The Very Rev. Br. Tyler C. Richards, OCS - dean of a cathedral, Dominican novice, preacher, writer, spiritual companion, and digital creator (@priestnthenorth). Tyler shares the story of a childhood encounter with God, leaving fundamentalism, discovering Anglicanism, and slowly realizing the shape of the vocation that had been chasing him for years. Together, they explore Dominican spirituality, the tug of religious life, the ache of suffering, the gift of silence, and why young adults are finding their way into the Episcopal Church. Tyler also reflects on leading a parish through COVID and what gave him hope when the world seemed to unravel. This is a conversation for anyone discerning their place, wrestling with questions, or longing for a faith that is ancient, honest, and alive. The Very Rev. Br. (Michael) Tyler C. Richards, OCS, is a native of Alabama. He attended the University of Alabama for his undergraduate degree and holds a Bachelor's of English Literature. His seminary training occurred at The School of Theology at Sewanee: The University of The South, where he earned a Master’s of Divinity. He also holds a certificate of Spiritual Companioning from The University of Wisconsin at Green Bay, and is currently working towards a Doctorate of Ministry in Preaching from The School of Theology. Dean Richards is a novice Friar in the Episcopal Dominican Order of Christ the Saviour and serves as deputy director of education for the order. His written works have been published in Forward Day by Day, as well as contributions made to The Disciples Way, also published by Forward Movement. He is the author of “This Far by Grace,” a blog hosted on Substack, as well as being a digital content creator on TikTok @priestnthenorth. Dean Richards also serves as the convener for the Mission Action Team for Discipleship and Formation for the Diocese of Wisconsin and as a deputy for General Convention.

    44 min
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About

Welcome to The Friary, a digital sanctuary for those deconstructing, reconstructing, and seeking a deeper, more mystical connection with the Divine. Hosted by Br. Jay, a Franciscan brother, this podcast explores faith. From the ancient wisdom of St. Teresa of Avila and St. Francis to modern voices like Richard Rohr, we move past the binaries of modern religion to find a sacramental, inclusive, and contemplative path. Whether you are carrying church hurt, wrestling with doubt, or simply longing for a more "Ancient-Future" spirituality, there is a place for you here at the Friary.

Information

  • Creator
    Br. Jay
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Br. Jay
  • Show Website
    The Friary