Psychology of Pilgrimage

In this conversation, Heather A. Warfield and Anne Bailey explore the multifaceted nature of pilgrimage, discussing its historical significance, personal experiences, and the intersection of spirituality and activism. They delve into the role of pilgrimage in protest movements, the communal aspects of the journey, and the revival of pilgrimage within the Anglican Church. Anne shares her academic background and insights into the evo...

In this conversation, Heather A. Warfield talks with Chris Robinson, a Marine Corps veteran and creator of The Last Deployment Project. They discuss his initiative to capture the oral histories of veterans involved in the Afghanistan withdrawal. The project aims to provide a platform for veterans to share their experiences and Robinson emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, allowing not only service members but also those who su...

In this conversation, Heather A. Warfield talks with Laura A. Macaluso about her chapter on the Jerome family's pilgrimage to France in 1919, exploring themes of loss, memory, and the role of women in mourning. Laura reflects on her background in art history and how it informs her understanding of cultural heritage. The discussion delves into the significance of monuments, the emotional journey of the family, and the impact of ...

In this episode, Heather A. Warfield speaks with Jan Hrkut, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the Catholic University Ruzomberok, Slovakia. Jan’s students, Lenka Čapkovičová and Jozef Murin, were also part of the conversation. We discuss their recent pilgrimage on the Way of Saint Francis in Italy and explore the context of their pilgrimage, the challenges faced, the importance of preparation, and the spiritual connections ma...

I speak with Attila Szalay-Berzeviczy, a Hungarian economist and author of ‘In the Centennial Footsteps of the Great War.' We discuss the intersection of pilgrimage and World War I, exploring how historical events shape contemporary understanding and commemoration practices. Attila shares insights from his extensive travels documenting battlefields and memorials across 57 countries, emphasizing the importance of remembering the...

This conversation explores the multifaceted nature of pilgrimages and their personal significance. Phil McCarthy shares his experiences and insights on how pilgrimage can serve as a means of healing, community building, and personal reflection. The discussion also highlights the Hearts in Search of God project, which aims to revitalize walking pilgrimage in England and Wales, and the importance of addressing loneliness and fosterin...

The conversation explores the Belleau Wood tree sapling initiative, initiated by John Giltz, a 30-year Marine Corps veteran. The project aims to bring back trees from the historic battlefield of Belleau Wood to the United States as a living memorial to honor the Marines, and other service members, who fought there. The discussion covers the significance of trees in memory and legacy, the collaboration with NC State University, the ...

In this conversation, I speak with brothers Dan Hiltz and Robert Hiltz about their journey to explore their family heritage in Germany, particularly in relation to their father's experiences during World War II. They discuss the emotional and spiritual connections they made during their trip, the importance of understanding historical context, and the impact of personal encounters with locals. The conversation also touches on theme...

In this conversation, I talk with James Bielo, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, about the intriguing history and significance of Holy Land USA, a unique pilgrimage site in Connecticut. We explore the interplay between material culture and religious experience, emphasizing how artifacts can evoke memories and facilitate storytelling. The discussion also delves into the complex relationship between scripture and pilgrimage, ...

In this episode, I reflect on the journey of starting the podcast, the challenges faced in transitioning from writing to video, and the valuable feedback received from guests and listeners. The episode highlights key themes identified across the first 15 episodes, including memory, trauma, healing, and identity, and outlines future directions for the podcast, including a focus on psychological constructs related to pilgrimage and t...

In this episode I speak with Philip Dunshea about the intersections of pilgrimage, personal histories, and academic publishing. Part of the backdrop for our conversation is the book, “Remembering Peasants: A Personal History of a Vanished World”, by Patrick Joyce. We explore the transformative nature of pilgrimages, particularly in relation to peasant life and spirituality, and discuss the impact of historical contexts, such as war...

In this conversation, I talk with Joacim Hallberg about his extensive research on Swedish soldiers who fought in World War I, particularly those who are buried along the Western Front. He shares insights into the criteria for his research, some of the immigration patterns of Swedish soldiers, and the emotional connections he forms with the descendants, or family members, of these soldiers. Joacim emphasizes the importance of indivi...

In this episode, I talk with Paul Hardin Kapp about the intersection of architecture, memorialization, and pilgrimage, particularly in the context of World War I cemeteries. Paul discusses the historical significance of tropes, the role of American cemeteries in expressing imperialism, and the influence of architect Paul Cret on cemetery design. The dialogue also explores the experience of pilgrimage in these spaces, the evolution ...

In this episode I speak with military historian Jonathan Bratten, who specializes in the colonial era and World War I. We discuss the US Army 26th “Yankee” Division, the historical significance of the 103rd Infantry Regiment, the concept of pilgrimage in military history, and the personal connections that arise when visiting battlefields like Belleau Wood. The conversation explores how these experiences shape our understanding of h...

In this episode I talk with Shay Rabineau about the historical and cultural significance of hiking trails in Israel. He shares his personal journey from curiosity about the land to academic research, exploring the dual nature of hiking as both a spiritual pilgrimage and an adventure. The conversation delves into the complexities of faith, identity, and the political implications of trail marking, as well as the emerging field of tr...

In this episode, I talk with Megan Kelleher about the significance of pilgrimages in relation to First World War memorials, artifacts, and personal stories. She shares her family's connection to the war and explores the broader impact of war on pilgrimage practices. The discussion delves into the differences between pilgrims and tourists, the meaning of souvenirs, and the emotional connections people have with the sites they vi...

In this conversation, I talk with Ian McIntosh about the evolution and significance of the Sacred Journeys conferences. We also reflect on the emotional and historical aspects of battlefield pilgrimages, particularly in relation to war memorials and personal histories, interfaith pilgrimages, and how such connections foster peace, compassion and shared understanding. We delve into the multifaceted nature of pilgrimage, Ian’s work a...

In this conversation, I speak with Colonel William T. Anderson, USMCR (Ret.) about his experiences and insights related to Belleau Wood, a significant World War I battlefield. He shares stories about artifacts from the era, his background in the Marine Corps, and the emotional impact of the re-internment ceremony for a fallen service member, buried as a Marine. The discussion also covers the significance of the Devil Dog Fountain a...