#123: The gifts of neurodiversity (with Daniel Bowman Jr.)

My new friend Daniel Bowman Jr. is my guest this week, and he shares his story of learning he was autistic as an adult. Daniel is an English professor and poet, and he shares the importance of understanding the different ways brains work, the gifts present in neurodiversity, and the importance of moving away from a pathology paradigm. We also discussed the life-giving rhythms of contemplative prayer for folks whose brains desire consistency and repetition. Daniel is the author of On The Spectrum: Autism, Faith, and the Gifts of Neurodiversity.

Jonathan PuddleDecember 2, 2021autism, neurodiversity, poetry, contemplative, disabilities, diversityComment

#108: How Far You Have Come (with Morgan Harper Nichols)

Artist and poet extraordinaire, Morgan Harper Nichols returns to The Puddcast this week. We talked all about compassionately reframing our memories of past events, a major theme in Morgan’s new book, How Far You Have Come: Musings on Beauty and Courage. Whether you’re already a fan of Morgan’s work or are discovering her for the first time, I think you’ll find beauty and encouragement to be who you are, where you are right now.

Jonathan PuddleApril 1, 2021story, life, morgan harper nichols, beauty, poetry, art, self-loveComment

#98: Poems of Disappointment and Discovery (with David Tensen)

My guest on the show this week is poet David Tensen. Once upon a time, David was the worship director at a megachurch… then he led a large inner healing prayer ministry… then his life fell apart and he started writing poetry. David recently released his first book The Wrestle: Poems of Divine Disappointment and Discovery. We talked all about breakdown, disappointment and surprising joy. David read a few of his poems for us—if you’ve ever experienced your life falling apart then this will be a blessing for your heart’s journey.

Jonathan PuddleJanuary 22, 2021poetry, brokenness, emotions, suicideComment

#64: All Along You Were Blooming (with Morgan Harper Nichols)

My guest this week is poet and artist Morgan Harper Nichols. We talked about Morgan’s upbringing, her lifelong search for a creative outlet, her self-doubt and feelings of insufficiency, and the surprise success of her artwork and poetry. We also discussed Instagram as a platform that can foster personal intimacy and connection. Expect lots of graceful thoughts, kind words and laughter.

Jonathan PuddleJanuary 16, 2020grace, art, poetry, hope, influencers, joyComment