Living Compass Spirituality & Wellness

Scott Stoner
  • 4.8 (23)
  • Religion
  • Updated Semiweekly

The Living Compass Spirituality and Wellness Initiative is a non-profit that creates low-cost, often free, wellness resources, including this podcast, currently used by tens of thousands of adults, teens, parents, faith communities, and organizations around the world. The Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner, the founder of this initiative, is a licensed marriage and family therapist and Episcopal minister. He has over forty years of experience equipping individuals, couples, parents, and families with the tools and inspiration they need to navigate their lives and relationships with awareness and intention.

  1. 3d ago

    "Embracing Not Knowing: In Life & Baseball," Episode #189, October 22, 2026

    Episode summary Early in his career as a young Episcopal pastor and marriage and family therapist, Scott Stoner believed his job was to have the answers. When people brought him their struggles, he offered expert advice. Over his first decade of ministry and clinical work, he slowly learned a different response: "I don't know, but I'm confident that if we hold space for this together, the path will become clear." In this episode, Scott explores why not knowing can be a deeper way of knowing. This is especially true in life's complex seasons: a difficult diagnosis, a hard decision, grief, loss, or transition. He calls these times liminal space, the place between the "no longer" and the "not yet." He also connects this wisdom to spiritual practice, therapy, worship, and how we companion one another. He closes with a lighter example: walking with fellow Milwaukee Brewers fans through the uncertainty of the World Series, one pitch at a time. In this episode Moving from "expert with answers" to "companion in the questions" Liminal space: the territory between the no longer and the not yet How prayer, meditation, therapy, spiritual direction, and worship all hold space for not knowing What not knowing asks of us: presence, humility, curiosity, trust, compassion, and companioning Beginner's mind: "In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's, few" Loving the questions themselves Responding to someone's grief or worry by walking with them instead of giving advice Baseball, community, and letting go of the outcome while enjoying the journey A practice to try Think of something in your life right now where you lack clarity. It might be a decision, a hurt, or someone you're worried about. Instead of forcing an answer, practice not knowing. Ask yourself: What helps me feel less anxious in this space? Prayer, centering prayer, meditation, journaling, walking, singing, dancing, yoga, tai chi? What helps me take a breath and trust that "way will open" when it is time? For conversation or journaling When someone shares a struggle with you, what is your first instinct: to advise, or to accompany? Where in your life are you in liminal space right now? What might change if you met that uncertainty with curiosity instead of anxiety? Blessings to you in your own time of not knowing, and go Brewers!

    "Embracing Not Knowing: In Life & Baseball," Episode #189, October 22, 2026

  2. Oct 8

    "Spaciousness," Episode #188, October 8, 2026"Spaciousness," Episode #188, October 8, 2026

    Spaciousness | Living Compass Spirituality and Wellness Podcast Episode summary When a friend called in the middle of a busy day, Scott's first instinct was regret at picking up. Then he stopped, took a breath, and made space. In this episode, Scott explores spaciousness — the inner, emotional, and spiritual room we need to create within ourselves so that we can offer it to others. In a world of busyness, screens, clutter, and worry, making space is countercultural. And the paradox is that we need it most precisely when it feels hardest to find. In this episode The phone call that became an invitation to reset and make space The overstuffed glove compartment as a metaphor for how unspacious our lives can become Psalm 18:19: "He brought me forth into a spacious place" Revisiting "Be still and know" from last episode — and the freedom to say no The monk who meditates for two hours on her busiest days Jesus withdrawing to a deserted place when the crowds pressed in, and the gift of Sabbath Autumn leaves letting go: how making space sometimes means releasing something Making space for grief, illness, and recovery "Love your neighbor as yourself," reframed: make space for yourself so you can make space for others Holding space as the common thread of ministry and therapy — being a midwife to what wants to emerge Viktor Frankl: between stimulus and response there is a space, and in that space lies our freedom Reflection questions Where in your life are you being invited to make space right now? What is one way you might be more intentional about making space in the next couple of days? How does the space you make (or don't make) for yourself shape how present you can be for others? Resources Living Compass app: free on iPhone and Android, or at app.livingcompass.org Website: livingcompass.org

    "Spaciousness," Episode #188, October 8, 2026"Spaciousness," Episode #188, October 8, 2026

  3. Sep 23

    "Be Still and No," Episode #187, September 23, 2026

    In this epiosde, Scott shares a new guided meditation that he has recorded for thet Living Compass mobile app.  Be Still and No: A Guided Meditation from Living Compass This meditation starts from a familiar line in Psalm 46, "Be still and know that I am God," and plays on its last word: be still and no. The meditation begins by inviting you to arrive in the present moment with slow, intentional breaths, letting your body, mind and spirit settle. He then explores a paradox many of us live with. When we struggle to say no, we lose our ability to be still. When we tend our spiritual lives through prayer, meditation, time in nature or journaling, we become centered enough to say no with grace and kindness. You'll be gently guided to notice what is pulling at you right now, like the to-do list, the unanswered messages and the things you "should" be doing, and to answer each one with a quiet no, not now or this can wait. Along the way, Scott reflects on why saying no is good for our wellbeing: It protects our time and energy. It reduces stress and burnout. It strengthens our self-respect. It makes our yeses more honest. It prevents resentment in our relationships. It helps us live in line with our values. He also describes saying no as a form of Sabbath: saying no to scrolling, screens and binge-watching makes room for rest and renewal. The meditation closes with a simple breath prayer you can carry into your day. Breathe in on "Be still" and out on "and know," holding both meanings of the word. Listen when life feels crowded and you need permission to slow down, set a boundary and come back to your center.

    "Be Still and No," Episode #187, September 23, 2026

  4. Sep 9

    "The Spiritual Wisdom of Wendell Berry," Episode #186, September 9, 2026

    Farmer, poet, theologian Wendell Berry died this week at the age of 92. This episode provides a brief reflection on his spiritual wisdom.  Here are some of his quotes that reflect that wisdom and a poem of his called "The Peace of Wild Things." The Peace of Wild Things When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. "There are no unsacred places; there are only sacred places and desecrated places." "Sabbath observance invites us to stop...It invites us to delight in the world's beauty and abundance." "So, friends, every day do something that won't compute...Laugh."

    "The Spiritual Wisdom of Wendell Berry," Episode #186, September 9, 2026

  5. Aug 26

    "The Compasses that Guide Our Lives," Episode #185, August 26, 2026

    Scott is heading up to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area tomorrow, so he has compasses on his mind. In this episode, he invites us to reflect on the many compasses that guide our lives (consciously and unconsciously), and explores what it means to make our spirituality our compass in the decisions we make about every aspect of our lives.

    "The Compasses that Guide Our Lives," Episode #185, August 26, 2026

  6. Aug 14

    "If You Want to Go Fast, Go Alone; If You Want to Go Far, Go with a Peloton," Episode #184, August 14, 2026

    The word "peloton" in French means a "small ball." When groups of bike riders in a bike race like the Tour de France ride together for support, they are called a "peloton." In this episode Scott reflects on a new take on the African proverb that reminds us that if we want to go far, we need to go as a group. Community is essential to our emotional and spiritual wellbeing. All of our relationships are like a peloton — sometimes we are the ones giving support and encouragement, and sometimes we are the ones who need that support and encouragement.

    "If You Want to Go Fast, Go Alone; If You Want to Go Far, Go with a Peloton," Episode #184, August 14, 2026

  7. Aug 4

    "A Spiritual Practice That Is for the Birds," Episode #183, August 4, 2026

    Scott's love of the Merlin bird app provides a metaphor for listening for the presence of the Divine in our lives.

    "A Spiritual Practice That Is for the Birds," Episode #183, August 4, 2026

  8. Jul 28

    "Sunscreen and Self-Compassion," Episode #182, July 28, 2026

    Scott's recent visit to the dermatologist created an opportunity for him to see the connection between the importance of applying regular doses of both sunscreen and self-compassion for one's overall well-being. The Living Compass app has several meditations on self-compassion.  Find it at: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/living-compass/id6738334257 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.livingcompass&hl=en https://app.livingcompass.org Scott can be reached at scott@livingcompass.org Self-Compassion Quotes referenced in this episode: Kristin Neff: "Unlike self-criticism, which asks if you're good enough, self-compassion asks what's good for you." Louise Hay: "You've been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn't worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens." Dr. Christopher Germer: "Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others." Jack Kornfield: "If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete." Brené Brown: "Talk to yourself as you would to someone you love." Eleanor Brown: "Stop beating yourself up for beating yourself up."

    "Sunscreen and Self-Compassion," Episode #182, July 28, 2026
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4.8
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About

The Living Compass Spirituality and Wellness Initiative is a non-profit that creates low-cost, often free, wellness resources, including this podcast, currently used by tens of thousands of adults, teens, parents, faith communities, and organizations around the world. The Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner, the founder of this initiative, is a licensed marriage and family therapist and Episcopal minister. He has over forty years of experience equipping individuals, couples, parents, and families with the tools and inspiration they need to navigate their lives and relationships with awareness and intention.

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