Coffee with Spiritual Directors

Dan Lee
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  • Spirituality

This podcast is meant to be a resource for anyone curious about spiritual direction, for those longing to deepen their walk with God, and for pastors and leaders who want to rethink what spiritual formation could look like in the years ahead.

  1. Aug 5

    12 Coffee with Fr. Emmanuel Morinelli

    Join Dan Lee and Fr. Emmanuel Morinelli at St. Joseph’s Abbey for a conversation on the "missing link" in modern faith: the practice of silence. They discuss why 70% of pastors leave ministry and how contemplative prayer can prevent burnout and transform spiritual formation.Highlights:- The Formation Gap: Why faith often stays in the head and not the heart.- The Power of Silence: Starting the inner journey in a noisy world.- Sustaining Ministry: Using monastic wisdom to avoid burnout.- Contemplation vs. Action: How the inward journey fuels outward justice.Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction at St. Joseph's Abbey 1:35 - What is missing in Christian formation? 6:02 - Monastic life as a counterculture 9:55 - Spiritual direction vs. therapy 12:58 - Preventing burnout in ministry 18:02 - Bringing silence to urban life 25:17 - Reclaiming Christian meditation 33:28 - The inward vs. outward journey. Visit: https://spencerabbey.org/

  2. Aug 4

    11 Coffee with Larry Jay

    In this episode, host Dan Lee sits down with Reverend Dr. Lawrence (Larry) Jay, a spiritual director and the director of the Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center in North Andover, Massachusetts. Key themes of this conversation include:The Spiritual Journey: Rev. Dr. Jay shares his personal transition from a mainline Protestant background into evangelical campus ministry, and eventually into the contemplative and mystical traditions of Franciscan spirituality (1:27 - 8:37).Defining Spiritual Direction: The two explore the nuances of spiritual direction, emphasizing that it is less about "directing" and more about listening, companioning, and providing a safe, sacred space for individuals to connect with the divine (11:04 - 14:05, 21:28 - 23:39).Head vs. Heart: A central focus of the discussion is the shift from purely intellectual approaches to faith ("the head") toward experiential, heart-centered spirituality ("the soul space"), which helps individuals process questions and doubts without judgment (10:04 - 11:03, 14:46 - 17:19).The Changing Church: Rev. Dr. Jay discusses the "rummage sale" or transitional state of the modern institutional church and how spiritual direction can offer support to those seeking deeper meaning outside or alongside traditional religious structures (32:55 - 41:17).Rolling Ridge: Information about the mission of Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center and how interested individuals can access their network of spiritual directors or book retreat space (47:12 - 50:26).Contact: https://www.rollingridge.org/

  3. Aug 3

    10 Coffee with Terry Timm

    In this episode of "Coffee with Terry Timm," Dan Lee sits down with Terry Timm for an insightful conversation that redefines our understanding of spiritual formation and the future of the church. Moving beyond traditional leadership models, Terry shares his journey of discovering "holy listening" and how the practice of spiritual direction can serve as a vital lifeline for both pastors and congregations. Together, they explore the concept of "democratizing the spirit"—shifting from a top-down, information-heavy faith to one that prioritizes personal encounter and contemplative presence. Whether you’re navigating your own season of deconstruction or simply longing for a deeper, more genuine connection with God, this episode offers a warm and spacious look at how we can all learn to hear the "sound of the genuine" in our own lives. Contact Terry by visiting: https://attunetogrow.org/ or https://terrytimm.com/

  4. Mar 21

    09 Coffee with Nancy Ebner

    In this episode of "Coffee with Nancy Ebner," Dan Lee sits down with retired pastor Nancy Edner to discuss her journey from lay leadership to seminary and pastoral ministry (0:01-5:03). The conversation explores her experience with spiritual direction for over 15 years, how it shaped her ability to pastor, and her transition into becoming a trained spiritual director after retiring in 2020 (5:35-9:25). Contact Nancy Ebner by visiting https://eccacsd.org/stylisticmodal/nancy-ebner

  5. Feb 16

    08 Coffee with Jenn Layte

    In this episode of "Coffee with Jenn Layte," Jen Layte, a spiritual director, chaplain, and pastor, shares her unique journey and insights into spiritual direction. She discusses the differences between spiritual direction and traditional pastoral ministry (9:43), the challenges churches face in being trauma-informed and addressing forgiveness (26:47), and her vision for reimagining spiritual formation through contemplative practices and understanding the stages of faith (35:50). Tune in to discover how she helps individuals and churches foster deeper relationships with God and themselves. Contact Jenn Layte by visiting https://the-pilgrimage.org/ Published book: “Follower: How Getting Close to Jesus Brings You to Yourself” - https://a.co/d/072jmKch

  6. 12/24/2025

    07 Coffee with Neal Windham

    In this episode of "Coffee with Neal Windham," Dan Lee sits down with spiritual director Neal Windham to explore his unique vocational journey. Neal shares his transition from teaching Greek and pastoring to his current ministry in spiritual direction. The conversation highlights the value and growing need for spiritual direction among pastors and church leaders (4:27), delving into its role in spiritual formation (16:37) and how it addresses the challenges of contemporary ministry. They also discuss the practicalities of implementing spiritual direction in church settings, emphasizing the importance of "holy listening" (31:51) and "practicing the presence of God" (39:56) in a busy world. Neal reflects on how becoming a spiritual director has profoundly changed him, fostering a more contemplative approach to life and a deeper appreciation for human connection and diverse spiritual paths (44:02). Contact Neal for spiritual direction: rnwindham@gmail.com, or 217-737-2400

  7. 12/12/2025

    06 Coffee with Nita Kotiuga

    06 Coffee with Spiritual Directors features a conversation with Nita Kotiuga, the director of spiritual formation at Bakke Graduate University, discusses her journey into spiritual direction and her experiences as a former pastor (0:06). She shares how her personal quest for a deeper faith led her to seek spiritual direction and eventually become a spiritual director herself (0:35). Nita highlights the unique aspects of spiritual direction, emphasizing the importance of a director's attentive listening and the freedom for individuals to explore their spiritual walk without an agenda (5:21). The conversation also delves into the differences between pastoral ministry and spiritual direction, particularly regarding time commitment and training in attentive listening (12:28). Nita identifies the biggest challenge facing the church today as a lack of "depth" in people's experience with God, often exacerbated by the quick-fix nature of modern life (25:00). She advocates for spiritual direction as a foundational practice for Christians to withstand hardship and develop a profound, trusting relationship with God (36:05). Nita concludes by advising pastors to seek their own spiritual directors and encourages anyone experiencing a spiritual hunger to explore spiritual direction (38:09, 39:22).

  8. 12/10/2025

    05 Coffee with Bridget Black

    Episode 05 of Coffee with Spiritual Directors features a conversation with Bridget Black, a spiritual director in Southern California who describes her practice as therapeutic spiritual direction (0:32). Drawing from years of ministry (1:29), seminary study (1:50), and work in the psychological and therapeutic world (0:36), Bridget weaves together soul care, trauma-informed presence (20:38), and spiritual discernment to create a spacious room where the personal and the spiritual meet (0:58). Dan and Bridget talk about prophetic listening (8:31), why questions and doubts belong in prayer (11:07), how practices like the Examen can ground us, and where spiritual direction fits in the future of the church (35:10). If you are longing for a companion who can hold both your story and your nervous system, this episode offers a hopeful and healing vision of what spiritual direction can be.

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This podcast is meant to be a resource for anyone curious about spiritual direction, for those longing to deepen their walk with God, and for pastors and leaders who want to rethink what spiritual formation could look like in the years ahead.

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