Holy Shenanigans

Why does gratitude even matter?

In this special Thanksgiving edition of Holy Shenanigans Podcast, Tara talks with her long-time blogging (yes blogging) friend Mary Bogan about the power of observing gratitude practices that began over 15 years ago.

Our shared online gratitude practices  (Click the green preceding text to read our Blog posts.) were sparked by the book, Sleeping With Bread, by Dennis, Shelia and Ma...

As we turn the calendar into November we enter a season many connect with Thanksgiving and Gratitude. For years now, I have engaged in a gratitude practice throughout all of November. 

How do I engage in gratitude practices?

I take photos of things I am grateful for.

I share poems that bring me joy and hope.

I share scripture that inspires me.

This week I share my origin story of gratitude practice and how it connects to my ap...

Even when your "Jaded",  you can't help yourself from loving love. 

This week's guest Marla Taviano is a poet and author of the book:
'Jaded: a poetic reckoning with white evangelical christian indoctrination'

Marla Taviano (she/her) is into books, love, justice, globes, anti-racism, blue, gray, rainbows, and poems. She reads and writes for a living, wears her heart on her t-shirts, and i...

How do you create a more peaceful, happy world and peaceful happy kids?

Through the power of parables and story and the help of children’s books that focus on development of positive social emotional  skills:  self awareness, relationship awareness, social awareness, emotional self management and responsible decision making.

In episode 153, Tara talks with children's author Lisa Combs, from Best Friend Book...

Holy Shenanigans Practioner Rev. Tara L. Eastman caught up with her colleague Rev. Dr. Deborah Roof at this summer’s Wild Goose Festival, to hear all about Words, Wonder and the Divine in You - a new book release. 

Deborah Roof, a queer Christian pastor, is an enthusiastic life-long learner and a passionate teacher. She is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ with a Master of Divinity degree from Colgate Roc...

Celebrate Holy Shenanigans Podcast's 3rd Birthday and 150th Episode in a conversation at The Wild Goose Festival 2023 with Doug Pagitt from Vote Common Good and Rev. Tara L. Eastman. 

In this episode, it's Doug's turn to ask Tara all about the sacred in everyday life and how over the last 20 years, she's been faithfully observing and practicing Holy Shenanigans.

About Doug:

Doug Pagitt...

In honor and remembrance of International Overdose Awareness Day, on August 31, 2023 this week's episode focuses on,  "Faith In Harm Reduction " with special guest Rev. Erica M. Poellot, MSW, MDiv. 

Rev. Erica M. Poellot, serves as the Minister of Harm Reduction and Overdose Prevention Ministries for the National United Church of Christ and Executive Director of Faith in Harm Reduction.

As a faith...

This week we celebrate the release of the book, "Youth Are Either Leading or Leaving", by Lyle Griner.  To get your copy, go to: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/youth-are-either-leading-or-leaving

Lyle Griner, is Executive Peer Ministry Leadership Director: A connoisseur of “Aha” moments as soulfully curious youth and families wrestle with the nuances of faith and life! A writer, teacher, youth minister, spiritua...

Welcome to episode #2 from the 2023 Wild Goose Festival - this week I visit with a new friend, Jon Carl Lewis, on the topic of  Spiritual Direction/Companionship.
Jon Carl Lewis is a spiritual companion dedicated to helping followers of Christ connect more deeply with Christ—and each other—so that they might live with abundant joy, loving God and their neighbor with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. He lives in Trent...

Welcome to the Wildgoose  Festival 2023, "Ignite"!

One of my favorite parts of Wildgoose is the opportunity to connect with new and old friends, to be reminded of the importance of supportive relationships and to carry these connections home - long after the festival has wrapped up.

Our first interview is with a new friend - Kate is the author of three books. Her newest book “Reclaiming Rest: The Promis...

Is Collaboration a "holy shenanigans"?
Join Tara and Spencer Burke as they celebrate innovation and collaboration to foster wholeness for people and organizations.

In the summer of 2022, spiritual innovator Spencer Burke, organized an Online Conference with 30 Spiritual Leaders called, "The Next Sunday Summit".
Holy Shenanigans Podcast muse, Rev. Tara L. Eastman joined Spencer for a conversati...

What does Juneteenth mean to you?

For Ms. Della Moore, Juneteenth is a holiday for remembrance, reflection and living into BIPOC joy. Juneteenth, a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans since 2021.

Juneteenth is also know as "Freedom Day", deriving its name from combining June and nineteenth. It is celebrated on the anniversary of the order by...

Episode #143 of #HSP celebrates Pride month with the Rev. Holly Clark-Porter.
Rev. Holly tells her personal story of what Pride means to her: Beginning with the history of Pride's origin at Stonewall, her coming out as a seminary student, meeting her spouse and their journey together as a publicly queer clergy couple.

No matter if you are new to Queer Theology or already celebrate Pride, Rev. Holly invites all to...

This Pentecost, as I think about the mighty, rushing wind that invoked the followers of Christ to speak and live lives of love - real love; I am on the lookout for signs of this love today - hearts ablaze for the sake of love.

I think what is needed to not simply revive the Church to love - but reorient our focus, to Christ"s starting place to love.  This Pentecost season, how can the "Church"  live in ways that embod...

In the wake of the global pandemic and long season that called the 'church" to be church in new and innovative ways - is creativity in a state of crisis or growth? Clergywoman and church consultant Rev. Dr. Karen Chamis invites churches and church leaders to move beyond dreaming - to bring dreams to fruition.

Karen believes that creativity empowered is key to helping individuals and organizations to live in align...

Special Guest Suzanne John Blacksnake, member of the Seneca Nation (Deer Clan) and Elder from Jimersontown Presbyterian Church.  In Episode 140 of Holy Shenanigans Podcast, Suzanne shares the history of Seneca peoples, their complex relationship with Presbytery of WNY - as well as ways her church (Jimersontown Presbyterian Church) is working for healing and a hopeful future.  

She resides on the Allegany territory and grew...

LIVE is...
Love, Intention, Verve and Ease.
At least for Tara - for her it's a rule of life - or at least, and intention.

How can learning what your strengths are, and leaning into them help you to LIVE?
Listen for more on the power of questions, learning and leaning into your strengths - and truly LIVE-ing.

When in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian C...

What is spiritual shepherding? Learn the basics of spiritual direction from spiritual director Nancy Wagner. 

Nancy Wager is a Deacon on the Roster of Word and Service with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Nancy holds BS and MS degrees in Elementary Education from SUNY Cortland, a Master of Arts in Applied Theology degree from Wheeling Jesuit University and a certificate in Spiritual Formation from Pittsb...