We’re Just Getting Warmed Up with Mary Ann Macklin, S01 Ep08Guest: Rev. Mary Ann Macklin “Rituals, Flow, and Getting Out of Your Own Way” Episode SummaryUnitarian Universalist minister Rev. Mary Ann Macklin joins Drew to talk about how spiritual leaders actually warm up—before worship, memorials, weddings, and hard conversations. She shares how she navigates rapid role shifts, uses ritual to “get out of her own way,” and treats sermons as learning in public rather than polished pronouncements. Along the way: Gilligan’s Island quotes, Coughlin’s Law from Cocktail, sports stadiums as sacred spaces, music as magic, and Quaker “eldering” as a model for being fully present for someone else’s work. About the GuestRev. Mary Ann Macklin is a spiritual leader, and interfaith chaplain. She most recently served as Interim Minister at a Unitarian Universalist congregation in Louisville, Kentucky. With deep spiritual roots and a love of music, movement, and embodied practice, she helps communities move through grief, joy, and change with intention and presence on Sundays and far beyond the sanctuary. Some Episode HighlightsWarm-Ups for Ministers Learning in Public, Not Preaching from the Mountaintop Ritual vs. Rote Sports as Sacred Space Flow, Perfectionism, and Getting Out of Your Own Way Music as Magic Preparing for Hard Conversations Quaker Eldering & The Caddy Analogy Connect with the ShowSuggestions for future guests or fields? Comment, email drewschrader [at] gmail [dot] com, or join the Substack for deeper dives and warm-up experiments. If this episode resonated, like/follow/subscribe and share with a friend who cares about spiritual practice, presence, or how we show up for hard moments. Credits Host: Drew Schrader Guest: Rev. Mary Ann Macklin Producer: Margie Schrader Tags Ministry, Unitarian Universalism, rituals, warm-ups, spiritual practice, sermons, memorial services, weddings, grief, hospital chaplaincy, Quaker, eldering, psychological safety, presence, flow, perfectionism, music in worship, sports rituals, golf, caddies, hard conversations, pastoral care
