The Second Cup Show

Deidre Braley
  • 5.0 (7)
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Making peace with being human. thesecondcup.substack.com

  1. 11/26/2025

    Season 02, Episode 08: The Theology of Happiness with Griffin Gooch

    For those who are celebrating this week—Happy Thanksgiving! This conversation is all about books, and happiness, and theology, and juicy tidbits about writing & research. It felt like the perfect companion for your comings and goings. Wish I could eat a slice of pumpkin pie with you! If you’re just arriving here, stick around! Does God actually want us to be happy? That’s what we talk about in this episode. Griffin Gooch has been studying the theology of happiness for years, and is currently working on a book on the topic. And since I’m working on a book about the discipline of delight, how could I not invite him to come nerd out with me over this? In this conversation, we talk about… * the task of the theologian * why great citations are a love language * how to decide what books to read next * Griffin’s top five favorite novels (plus mine!) * what the modern Church has forgotten about happiness, and what the early Christians knew * how rituals can contribute to our overall happiness Listen. Enjoy. Restack. Share with a friend! And if you’re feeling extra generous, would you leave a review of the The Second Cup Show wherever you listen? That really, really helps get the word out. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesecondcup.substack.com/subscribe

    50 min

  2. 11/06/2025

    The Courageous & Curious Work of Living a Life in Flux

    “Apathy is informative. And when we get to that point, we have to decide: Are we going to fight to bring that piece of us back that is worth reviving?” That’s what Lindsay Swoboda asks in this interview and in her book, Holding On and Letting Go: A Life in Motion, a memoir about the two decades of military life she experienced alongside her family and husband, a Marine. And what I loved about this memoir—what made it resonate so deeply, even though I have no personal frame of reference for life in the service—is that it required me to look inward, to see my own story, to ask the same question that Lindsay challenged herself throughout: When life is uncomfortable and unexpected, who will I choose to be? In this episode, we talk about: * How to greet discomfort with curiosity rather than fear * The power of rituals to keep us grounded in times of flux * Figuring out what we do have a say in, even when some of life’s circumstances are beyond our control * Finding the courage to surrender to the moment even when it is not as we thought it would be * Discovering beauty even in our most stripped-back seasons This conversation was heartening and also challenging—but in the best, most wonderful way. * Subscribe to Lindsay’s publication, The Eleven O’Clock Number, here on Substack: Lindsay Swoboda * Follow Lindsay on Instagram: @lindsay.swo * And most importantly, find her book here & order a copy for yourself and a copy for a friend: Holding On and Letting Go: A Life in Motion This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesecondcup.substack.com/subscribe

    46 min

  3. 06/10/2025

    Season 02, Episode 06: On Why We Need Poetry with Drew Jackson

    Make sure to leave a review after you listen for a chance to win some Poetry is for Rebels apparel! The winner of last episode’s podcast review was a dear listener by the name of Jsteele9! If that’s you—send me a message today and I’ll send YOU a new piece of Poetry is for Rebels swag. Hi, I’m Deidre, the author & host behind The Second Cup. Each week, you can expect one podcast or post around theology, poetry, and the re-enchantment of life. Come on in! Come listen in as poet and theologian Drew Jackson answers my question, “WHY POETRY?” Drew is the author of God Speaks Through Wombs and Touch the Earth, which are collections of poetic dialogue with the Gospel of Luke. On this episode, you can expect to hear: * our hot takes on rural versus city living—and the magic (and hassles) of each * Drew’s thoughtful parallels between the social contexts of Luke and our modern-day world, giving voice to those who know what life is like “on the underside of Empire” * wise words from Rilke, Miles Davis, and more * Drew performing one of his new, not-yet-published poems from his latest collection in progress (plus one of my personal requests from God Speaks Through Wombs!) * a lively dialogue on the importance of “unproductive,” undervalued things (and people!) in our society * something that inspires you to go pick up (or write!) a poetry collection Find more about Drew here: * Order God Speaks Through Wombs and Touch the Earth * Follow him on Instagram * Check out his website Know someone who would LOVE this episode? Go ahead, share it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesecondcup.substack.com/subscribe

    48 min

  4. 05/27/2025

    Season 02, Episode 05: The Art of Remembrance with Emily Curzon

    Hold the phone! Have you left a review yet? Everyone who leaves a review for The Second Cup Show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts gets entered to win some Poetry is for Rebels swag of your choice, so make sure you take a moment to do that and then let me know below in the comments that you have so I don’t miss it. The winner for last episode’s reviews was Becca Shaw! Love theology, poetry, and the daily practice of delight? Subscribe to The Second Cup for a weekly essay, poem, or podcast. Emily Curzon is a writer, a podcaster, a therapist, and friend. She practices the monthly act of remembrance over at her gorgeous publication, We Have This Hope. I adore Emily. You will too. I told her at the end of this conversation that I felt like we’d just had our own little therapy session—except that we also covered important topics like the art of the “napuccino” and the joys of walking with a weighted vest. But truly—you don’t want to miss what Emily has to say about practicing remembrance as a spiritual discipline. She talks about: * How our bodies and brains are wired to remember (Have you read The Body Keeps the Score? A little more on that in this episode.) * The effect that remembrance has on our mental health * Practical tips (yes, even for those of us who don’t have time) for incorporating this practice into our lives Plus, we discuss: * The “novelty effect” and how to slow down time * Practicing the important work of FUN * What you can tell about a person by their coffee order Gosh, this was a fun one. So come give it a listen, smile all the way through, and afterwards—maybe even give the art of remembrance a try. And please, share far and wide! With love, Deidre P.S. If you wanted to tune in to the interview Emily & I did over on HER podcast, We Have This Hope, you can listen to that here: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesecondcup.substack.com/subscribe

    46 min

  5. 05/13/2025

    Season 02, Episode 04: Creativity & Our Mental Health with Blake Roberts & Jamie Haigh

    Welcome to The Second Cup Show! Today, we talk with therapists (and best friends!) Blake Roberts, LMFT and Jamie Haigh, LPC-MHSP of Three Percent Co., a mental health community and podcast that helps men turn emotional walls into deeper relationships. Send this to a friend who would love it! Besides bringing their fascinating insights from their professional lives as therapists, Blake and Jamie offer incredible depth and texture to the conversation around creativity as artists in their own rights. Listen in as we talk about: * creativity as the act of communicating with God * following artistic interests for the sheer delight of it * learning to tell the difference between creating from a place of dysregulation versus a place of security * creative advice from some of our all-time favorite writers and artists (Image Pilgrimage w/ Scott Erickson had so many shoutouts, he might as well have been on the show!) * the benefits of creating with others * connecting with our inner child * learning to treat our inner muse like we would another person Connect with Blake & Jamie on their website and follow them on IG @therapy.with.blake and @jameswilliammusic. And make sure to subscribe to Three Percent Co. before you leave! Make sure to listen & leave a review and—if you know someone else who would LOVE this—send it along, won’t you? Sending love, Deidre This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesecondcup.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 3m

  6. 04/29/2025

    Season 02, Episode 03: Keeping Our Feet on the Ground with Chris Wheeler

    Everybody who leaves a review of The Second Cup Show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts gets entered to win some Poetry is for Rebels swag of your choice, so make sure you take a moment to do that and then let me know below in the comments that you have. The winner for last episode’s reviews was Janet S Abadir! Welcome to The Second Cup Show! Today, we talk with Chris Wheeler of The Tethered Letters, and the best way I can describe this conversation is a feast for the spirit. “We want our hands in the earth. We want our feet on the ground. We want to be present here.” Chris Wheeler Every turn of our conversation felt like tearing off a hunk of sourdough bread and dipping it in soup. We chewed thoughtfully—and I savored it entirely. I woke up the next day stilling feeling full, and nourished. I feel pretty confident suggesting that you will, too. Chris is one of those people who doesn’t just talk about ideas. He lives them. In a world where everyone online seems to have expert advice for living better lives, Chris is actually living his best life—quietly, unhurriedly, and mostly offline. [But we can’t say nothing good ever came out of the digital world, because if it wasn’t for Tabitha McDuffee and her gracious introduction, I would never have met Chris.] He shares all about: * his intentional detachment from devices & the digital world * how gardening—like any good spiritual practice—tethers us to the present * the discontent of striving and learning to embody the realities of incremental change and slow growth * creating an environment that enables us to reclaim the joy of being attentive all over again. Make sure to listen & leave a review and—if you know someone else who would LOVE this—send it along, won’t you? Sending love, Deidre This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesecondcup.substack.com/subscribe

    52 min

  7. 03/31/2025

    Season 02 Episode 02: On Talking With God with Tanner Olson

    Everybody who leaves a review of The Second Cup Show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts gets entered to win some Poetry is for Rebels swag of your choice, so make sure you take 1 minute to do that and then let me know below in the comments that you have. The winner for last episode’s reviews was Kimberly Kralovic! Welcome to The Second Cup Show! Today, we talk with author & spoken word poet, Tanner Olson. And oh boy. I think you’re going to love it. How do I put this? Talking with Tanner is like…eating the center of a cinnamon roll at a diner while drinking your morning coffee. Comforting. Comfortable. Real. Fun. Real fun. In fact, we talk about Tanner’s love for cinnamon rolls, along with a lot of other things you’ll want to listen in on, like: * The backstory behind his new children’s book, All the Things I Say to God: Learning to Pray Anytime, Anywhere (you should preorder that, by the way) * Talking with God—and hearing back from him * What to do in seasons of life that feel decidedly not okay * Tanner reading his poem, STAY (which is reason enough to STAY and listen to the whole episode) Make sure to listen & leave a review and—if you know someone else who would LOVE this—send it along, won’t you? Sending love, Deidre P.S. If you enjoyed our conversation around talking with God, have you read my most recent essay, How to Hear From God yet? I do my best to offer a practical guide for hearing from God, even if you don’t feel like a supernatural, super-spiritual superpower. Check it out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesecondcup.substack.com/subscribe

    49 min

  8. 03/13/2025

    Season 02 Episode 01: Waiting Well with Kathy Green

    Welcome back to The Second Cup Show! Today, we kick off Season 02 Episode 01 with none other than my own literary agent, the wonderful Kathy Green. Kathy is an author, speaker, and literary agent, and in this episode, she drops some serious wisdom on how to wait well (something that I find to be devastatingly hard). We also discuss the book publishing world, learning to listen for God, and the importance of doing things just for fun. Make sure to listen & leave a review and—if you know someone else who would LOVE this—send it along, won’t you? Sending love, Deidre This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesecondcup.substack.com/subscribe

    52 min
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5
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About

Making peace with being human. thesecondcup.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Deidre Braley
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Deidre Braley
  • Show Website
    The Second Cup Show