Little Connections

BernardKirsten
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Religion & Spirituality

Little Connections is a podcast where two friends, Bernard and Kirsten, explore the spiritual in everyday life. Through spacious conversation, we explore film, music, friendship, synchronicity, and the questions that meet us in real time. We’re interested in the moments and stories that help us become

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    How do we bear it? We hold it with a song.

    Harmonizing with the life we’ve been given: an openhearted conversation through the lens of Song Sung Blue. In this episode we explore what this genius work of art stirred in us. Along the way, we returned to the question, “how do we bear the beauty and pain of life?” Kirsten introduces what Cecil Collins writes about “the fool,” which seems to name the essence of this film. We share personal stories about how music and play steady us in uncertainty. And, of course, how we explore what it means to be connected. What song helps you bear the beauty and the pain of life? Content note: We do touch on major plot points of the film. If you want to encounter it directly, watch the movie first and then come back to join this conversation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:12 Why Song Sung Blue? 03:21 The first date and “Play Me” 09:36 Everything is spiritual: being in the now 11:47 Mike’s presence and blending by heart 19:40 Cecil Collins and “The Vision of the Fool” 24:04 Play restores us 29:47 How do we hold the suffering of the world? 36:23 When life changes in an instant 40:00 Music in hard times 44:53 Music as a language of the heart 46:21 Do things just not work out? 51:20 Hope is a substance, not an outcome 54:54 Grief, karaoke and being witnessed 1:00:04 Mike’s closing message 1:02:29 The final video and the fool in us all 1:06:46 Closing Watch the video on YouTube Links Song Sung Blue official trailerKirsten’s favorite clip“Holly Holy” sceneOprah with Hugh Jackman and Kate HudsonKelly Clarkson interviewCBS Sunday MorningBringing Lightning and Thunder to the ScreenMax Richter, “On the Nature of Daylight” — official videoKirsten wrote about holding the impossible with her son RyanA Tribute to Cecil Collins: Visionary-Artist-Poet-Writer (1908-1989) by Anne Baring“Icons of the Inner Life,” a Soulspace post where Kirsten reads from a book about Cecil Collins called Angels by Stella Astor.

  2. Sep 29

    Baked Alaska + The Taste of Eternity

    What moment is still alive in your heart, years after it was lived in time? In this episode, Bernard and Kirsten continue their two-part conversation through Babette’s Feast, the 1987 film based on the story by Isak Dinesen. What does eternity taste like? This is part two of two. You can watch Part One, “An Artist Is Never Poor,” on YouTube. Chapters 00:00 The feast 02:28 Roads taken and not taken 06:50 Finding his voice in the now 14:27 The taste of eternity 17:37 Baked Alaska 23:36 Art as a relational experience 27:00 Rilke: beauty and terror 29:18 Making ourselves available Watch the video version and subscribe to Little Connections on YouTube. Some links below may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Little Connections! Watch / read / explore Watch Babette’s Feast on Prime VideoRead the short story by Isak Dinesen on Kindle. You may also be able to check it out from your local library.Babette’s Feast official trailerCriterion Collection’s Three Reasons to WatchThe General’s Toast — “Mercy and truth have met together”“I have been with you every day of my life. Tell me you know that” — clip featuring Birgitte Federspiel and Jarl KulleFinal scene — “The Wild Voice”Rainer Maria Rilke, “Go to the Limits of Your Longing”Cynthia Bourgeault, Eye of the Heart: A Spiritual Journey Into the Imaginal Realm — a look at the time and causality of Babette’s FeastLady Gaga, “Always Remember Us This Way,” from A Star Is Born — “The part of me that’s you will never die.”Perino’s, the famous Los Angeles restaurant where Bernard had baked AlaskaA fun baked Alaska how-to video from Preppy Kitchen

  3. Sep 3

    An Artist is Never Poor

    When has someone’s generosity rekindled something in you that you thought was lost? In this episode, Bernard and Kirsten begin a two-part conversation about Babette’s Feast, the 1987 film based on the story by Isak Dinesen, also known as Karen Blixen. Entering the film through the heart, they reflect on how a gift given fully can rekindle what has been forgotten. At the center of the conversation is Babette’s unforgettable line: “An artist is never poor.” This is part one of two. In this episode: 00:00 — Introduction to Babette’s Feast and its themes 02:16 — Our resistance to the movie and why we kept watching 04:43 — What changes over time, what stays the same 09:27 — The secret ingredient Babette introduces 12:15 — “An Artist Is Never Poor” 14:09 — A gift given all the way rekindles hearts 18:48 — Why am I giving? Why am I creating? Is it just going into a void? 20:39 — The exquisite subtlety that cannot be fully named 23:29 — It’s bittersweet. How do we bear it? 25:10 — When we touch Now, we are in eternity Watch the video on YouTube References: Watch Babette’s Feast on Prime Video Read the short story by Isak Dinesen on Kindle You may also be able to check it out from your local library. Babette’s Feast official trailer Cooking and eating scenes The General’s Toast: “Mercy and truth have met together” Little Connections Short: Bernard on roads taken and not taken "I have been with you every day of my life. Tell me you know that" Clip — Birgitte Federspiel and Jarl Kulle Babette’s Feast final scene / The Wild Voice Rainer Maria Rilke, “Go to the Limits of Your Longing” Some links may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Little Connections.

  4. Jul 18

    Where time is Deep and Wide

    There is a deep, wide time that meets us when we are fully here in the Now. With openhearted depth, Bernard and Kirsten continue their flowing conversation about time, presence, beauty, impermanence, love, and loss through the lens of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. This is part two of a two-part conversation.  A gentle reminder: life is inherently fragile, but within that fragility lies the chance to live with intention, open our hearts, and recognize the sacred in every small moment. Whether you're questioning the nature of time, coping with loss, or seeking to deepen your everyday experience, this conversation offers a way toward reverence and grace. It's for anyone opening to presence amid chaos, exploring spiritual perspectives on time, or longing to cherish the Now. We explore: - How practices cultivate the habit of appreciation, rewiring us to see moments as abundant rather than fleeting. - The paradox of life's pain and beauty, and why embracing both unlocks a more compassionate, deliberate existence. - Cynthia Bourgeault's idea that every moment is held in an "exquisite fullness" when we yield into the Now. - Why the awareness of mortality deepens our capacity for love and transforms our frustrations into compassion. - Practical ways to weave fleeting poignancy into daily life, through intentional breathing, gratitude, and spiritual connection, so that life becomes less about chasing happiness and more about experiencing it. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Trailer and Scenes: https://youtu.be/iH6FdW39Hag?si=jMuHDN1Pt58poUHZ https://youtu.be/P87djtzAhEc?si=VvNLmQAIgucHJWwg https://youtu.be/ECDGpYuMRDA?si=jTpO7R9WyY7gNlWM https://youtu.be/zmicfGmQZ9s?si=qxHmxvEqoAeGCiZ1 https://youtu.be/uN9D7RWSlXw?si=Uw1Dj1PSfVJUzIaP “The Architect” by Kacey Musgraves: https://youtu.be/Tog63hCb7xs?si=QV3z-3YH8CVNagUE Better Things Scene — Sunny & Jeff's wedding/memento mori concept: https://youtu.be/kk8wKmr5RWU?si=CMDuS1NAsIX2vQCl The quote Kirsten reads is from Cynthia Bourgeault's book Eye of the Heart: https://amzn.to/4foCTuE Connect with us: Kirsten offers spacious accompaniment at Soulspace: https://www.mysoul.space/ Kirsten collages wisdom with visual art, audio, and words on Faint Outlines: https://kirstenharrison.substack.com/ Bernard makes art at BtheMann Creations: https://www.instagram.com/bthemanncreations/ Watch Little Connections on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LittleConnectionsPod

  5. Jul 4

    Time passes, nothing lasts. So beautiful.

    Little Connections | Episode 2 Time passes, nothing lasts. So beautiful. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. In this second conversation, Bernard and Kirsten begin a two-part exploration of time, beauty, impermanence, love, and loss through the lens of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. What begins with the simple recognition that “time passes, nothing lasts” opens into a conversation about the ache and wonder of being human, the tenderness of ordinary moments, and the way some stories help us see our lives with more presence. We’d love to hear from you! What did this conversation stir? Watch this episode on YouTube The Curious Case of Benjamin Button trailer and clips: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) Trailer That Mattress | The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) A Clock That Runs Backwards (2008) HD Be Whoever You Want to Be (2008) HD Some are artists | The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Ending Music and other references: The Architect (Live From The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon/2024) Sunny and Jeff Get Married | Better Things | FX (Memento Mori) Connect with us: Kirsten offers spacious accompaniment at Soulspace: https://www.mysoul.space/ Kirsten collages wisdom with visual art, audio, and words on Faint Outlines: https://kirstenharrison.substack.com/ Bernard makes art at BtheMann Creations: https://www.instagram.com/bthemanncreations/ Watch Little Connections on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LittleConnectionsPod

  6. Jun 25

    Synchronicity, fathers, and being ourselves through the lens of Kung Fu Panda 3

    Little Connections | Episode 1   Synchronicity, fathers, and being ourselves through the lens of Kung Fu Panda 3 In this first conversation, Bernard and Kirsten explore synchronicity, fathers, friendship, and becoming ourselves in real time through the lens of Kung Fu Panda 3. What begins with Bernard watching the movie on a flight home, on the anniversary of his father’s death, opens into a conversation about ritual, calling, friendship, and the moments that help us step more fully into who we are. We’d love to hear from you in the comments. What did this conversation stir in you? Scenes from Kung Fu Panda 3 that we reference:   https://youtu.be/w86nTX6Iixo?si=1q0AGguGh-4L0s6i   https://youtu.be/sCsMjWjftZs?si=o16qlCicgQjmpF__   https://youtu.be/30VlDItRAVk?si=xpBFwuONKPhhCMKB   Chuck Mangione, one of Bernard’s father’s favorite musicians:   https://youtu.be/_Wj3tykacvM?si=uDbCV3blnfr5PTL9   Guest Star   Did you spot Lady Princess Peanut?   https://www.instagram.com/ladyprincesspeanut/ Connect: Kirsten / Soulspace: https://www.mysoul.space/   Kirsten’s Substack: https://kirstenharrison.substack.com/   Bernard / BtheMann Creations: https://www.instagram.com/bthemanncreations/ Connect with us: Kirsten offers spacious accompaniment at Soulspace: https://www.mysoul.space/ Kirsten collages wisdom with visual art, audio, and words on Faint Outlines: https://kirstenharrison.substack.com/ Bernard makes art at BtheMann Creations: https://www.instagram.com/bthemanncreations/ Watch Little Connections on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LittleConnectionsPod

  • 6 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Little Connections is a podcast where two friends, Bernard and Kirsten, explore the spiritual in everyday life. Through spacious conversation, we explore film, music, friendship, synchronicity, and the questions that meet us in real time. We’re interested in the moments and stories that help us become

Information

  • Creator
    BernardKirsten
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 BernardKirsten
  • Show Website
    Little Connections