This episode of "Coping" covers a discussion about discovering one's calling through three key 'calling clues.' The hosts, Kathy and Kevin, explore how these clues can help people uncover their life's purpose. The three clues discussed are Campaign (what causes people feel passionate about), Curiosity (what naturally fascinates people), and Childhood (early life indicators of calling). Kevin shares his passion for end-of-life care and palliative care, while Kathy reveals her background in education despite initial resistance. The conversation concludes with a guided meditation led by Kevin to help listeners connect with their calling.

Highlights

Introduction to Calling Clues

Kathy introduces the episode's focus on recognizing 'calling clues' that can help discover one's purpose. She compares finding a calling to solving a mystery and announces that they will explore three specific clues.

First Clue: Campaign

The first clue discussed is 'Campaign' - focusing on causes or issues people feel strongly about. Kevin shares his passion for palliative care and end-of-life care, particularly regarding advanced care planning and directives. They reference Brené Brown's example of starting a global conversation about shame and resilience.

Second Clue: Curiosity

The discussion moves to 'Curiosity' as the second clue, examining what naturally fascinates people. They emphasize paying attention to reading choices, podcast preferences, and conversation topics as indicators. Kevin explains his curiosity about death and decision-making, while Kathy realizes her general curiosity about human behavior and decision-making.

Third Clue: Childhood

The final clue explores childhood indicators of calling. Kathy shares her family background in education and her initial resistance to becoming a teacher. Kevin discusses his early inclination toward priesthood. They emphasize how childhood dreams often contain profound clues about one's calling.

Closing Meditation

The episode concludes with Kevin leading a guided meditation designed to help listeners connect with their calling. The meditation involves visualization of a peaceful landscape and passing through a symbolic portal to gain insights about one's perfect work.

Summary

This bonus recording is of Kathy Young Deegan reading of 'Blessing for When the Road is Long' by Kate Bowler. It's a spiritual meditation about finding strength in moments of weakness and exhaustion. The piece incorporates biblical references from Jeremiah 6:16 and Isaiah 41, focusing on themes of spiritual guidance, divine support, and finding rest in moments of complete vulnerability.

Highlights

Introduction and Opening Prayer

The opening sets a tone of vulnerability and spiritual seeking as Kathy Young Deegan introduces the blessing's title and author.

Biblical Guidance and Blessing of Weakness

Kathy recites Jeremiah 6:16, emphasizing the importance of seeking ancient paths and divine guidance. She then offers blessings for those who must acknowledge their weakness and surrender their burdens, suggesting that simply existing is enough in moments of struggle.

Finding Rest in Stillness

The blessing describes a profound moment of stillness that becomes a sacred space for divine presence, where rest and wholeness can be found. This section emphasizes the transformative power of complete surrender.

Divine Strength in Human Weakness

The reading concludes with Kathy sharing Isaiah 41's promise of divine support, highlighting the paradoxical truth that God's strength becomes most evident at the point of human weakness.

Summary

This episode of "Coping" covers different ways people view work, based on Professor Amy Rizinski's research framework. Kathy and Kevin Deegan explore three primary perspectives: work as a job (focused on paycheck), work as a career (focused on advancement), and work as a calling (focused on meaning and fulfillment). The conversation delves into how societal changes have led to people seeking more purpose in their daily work activities. The speakers share personal experiences, including Kevin's journey from working at a pizza parlor to pursuing education, and Kathy's evolution from teaching to finding a greater calling. They emphasize the importance of identifying one's mindset towards work and discuss strategies for discovering one's vocation, including the need to pause and reflect.

Highlights

Introduction to Different Views of Work

Kathy and Kevin introduce the topic of how people view work differently, highlighting three main perspectives: as a paycheck, as a career ladder to climb, or as a vocation/calling. They emphasize the importance of understanding one's view of work to determine future direction.

Work as a Paycheck Perspective

The discussion explores the traditional view of work as means of survival. Kevin shares personal experience working at a pizza parlor in Los Angeles while pursuing acting. They discuss how the paycheck mindset can sometimes conflict with pursuing meaningful work and how focusing solely on money can create a false sense of security.

Career-Oriented Mindset

The discussion continues, examining work as a career, focusing on advancement and professional growth. Kathy shares her journey through education, including obtaining a master's degree in English education and spending 15 years in the education field before seeking greater impact.

Understanding Calling and Vocation

The conversation explores the concept of calling, tracing its etymology to the Latin 'vocatio'. They discuss how the concept has evolved from being exclusively religious to becoming more broadly applicable, emphasizing the connection between finding one's voice and discovering one's calling.

Practical Advice for Finding Your Calling

The speakers provide practical guidance for discovering one's vocation, emphasizing the importance of pausing to reflect and listen to one's life. They discuss balanced approaches to career changes and conclude with Kate Bowler's blessing for when the road is long.

Summary

Kathy Young-Deegan reads John Donahue's poem 'For the Traveler', which she relates to exploring the road of calling. The poem discusses the sacred nature of journeys, the importance of mindful travel, and the transformative power of new experiences. Through poetic verses, it emphasizes the significance of preparing oneself spiritually and emotionally before embarking on a journey, and the potential for personal growth and transformation that travel offers.

Highlights

Introduction to 'For the Traveler' Poem

Kathy introduces John Donahue's poem 'For the Traveler', connecting it to the exploration of personal calling. She emphasizes how the poem serves as a metaphor for spiritual and personal journeys.

The Sacred Nature of Journey and Inner Preparation

The poem describes how travel brings a new silence and encourages listening to one's heart. It emphasizes the sacred nature of journeys and the importance of blessing one's departure, freeing the heart from burden, and allowing the soul's compass to guide toward spiritual territories.

Mindful Travel and Return

The final verses focus on the importance of traveling with awareness and wisdom, making use of transformative opportunities along the way. It concludes with wishes for safe travel, meaningful experiences, and returning home enriched and better able to appreciate life's ongoing journey.

Summary

This episode of "Coping" covers what a calling is, and debunks three major misconceptions about it. Kathy and Kevin discuss that calling isn't just for certain people but is universal, and it doesn't always manifest as a clear, dramatic moment. They discuss the difference between jobs (which pay bills), careers (climbing the ladder), and callings (which provide meaning and purpose). The conversation concludes with a reading of John Donahue's poem 'For the Traveler.'

Highlights

Introduction to Calling and Its Evolution The speakers begin by introducing the topic of calling and its importance. They establish that calling isn't static but evolves over time. Statistical evidence is presented showing the evolution of job changes: from 1-2 jobs in 1950, 4-6 in 1980, to a projected 12 jobs by 2025. Yale professor Amy Rosinski's framework is discussed, distinguishing between jobs (for paying bills), careers (ladder climbing), and callings (meaningful purpose).

Myth 1: Calling is Unchanging and Linear

The first myth addressed is that calling remains unchanged throughout life. Kevin emphasizes that people are called, not jobs, and that calling evolves as individuals grow. Kathy uses the metaphor of Russian stacking dolls to illustrate how calling evolves into larger versions while maintaining core identity. Parker Palmer's quote about listening to one's life is referenced to emphasize the connection between calling and identity.

Myth 2: Calling is Only for Other People

The second myth discusses the misconception that calling is only for special individuals. Both speakers share personal experiences: Kathy initially resisted following her family's educational legacy, while Kevin, as a chaplain, notes how people often associate calling only with religious vocations. They emphasize that everyone has a unique purpose to fulfill.

Myth 3: Calling is Always Clear and Obvious

The final myth addresses the misconception that calling appears as a dramatic moment of revelation. The speakers reference Bill Burnett's work on Design Your Life Thinking and discuss how calling often emerges through small moments rather than dramatic 'burning bush' experiences. They emphasize that calling develops through exploration and reflection, with Kevin introducing the concept of 'lowercase c' calling moments versus 'capital C' moments.

To donate to people in need in Los Angeles, visit these links:

World Central Kitchen
https://wck.org

Los Angeles Food Bank
https://www.lafoodbank.org/

Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation
https://supportlafd.org/

Summary

This episode of "Coping" covers the devastating fires in Los Angeles and their impact on the community. Kathy and Kevin discuss both the physical and emotional toll of these fires, sharing a personal account from an Altadena resident affected by the Eaton fires. The conversation explores themes of loss, grief processing, and eventual renewal. They emphasize the importance of acknowledging grief, seeking support, and finding opportunities for renewal and community connection in times of crisis. The episode concludes with practical advice for those affected and a prayer for those impacted by the fires.

Highlights

Introduction to LA Fires Discussion

Kathy and Kevin introduce the episode's focus on the Los Angeles fires, acknowledging both the physical destruction and emotional impact on the community. They emphasize the need for compassion and resilience during this crisis.

Personal Account from Altadena Resident

A detailed firsthand account is shared from an Altadena resident affected by the Eaton fires, describing their evacuation experience and the stark contrast between sunlight and smoke-filled darkness. The account highlights the sudden nature of evacuation and the devastating reality of not being able to return home.

Hosts' Personal Experiences with Natural Disasters

Kathy and Kevin share their own experiences with natural disasters, including Kevin's childhood experience with Hurricane Andrew in Miami, which involved months without power and school. They discuss how past traumas can resurface during current crises.

Processing Grief and Finding Support

The conversation continues with the importance of properly processing grief rather than compartmentalizing it, referencing Mindy Caliguire's book 'Ignite Your Soul'. They emphasize the importance of seeking support through counseling, therapy, or trusted friends.

Community Response and Renewal

The discussion concludes with observations about the Los Angeles community's positive response to the crisis, highlighting how residents are supporting each other despite negative online narratives. The episode ends with a prayer about devastation and renewal, emphasizing hope for those affected by the fires.

Summary

The video covers a poetic meditation titled 'A Blessing for the Broken-Hearted' by Jan Richardson. Kevin Deegan presents a contemplative piece that explores themes of heartbreak, healing, and resilience. The poem challenges common platitudes about pain and healing while offering a unique perspective on how broken hearts continue to function and heal through love.

Kevin:

"A Blessing for the Broken-Hearted" by Jan Richardson:

Let us agree for now that we will not say the breaking makes us stronger, or that it is better to have this pain than to have done without this love. Let us promise we will not tell ourselves time will heal the wound when every day our waking opens it anew.

Perhaps for now it can be enough to simply marvel at the mystery of how a heart so broken can go on beating, as if it were made for precisely this, as if it knows the only cure for love is more of it, as if it sees the heart's sole remedy for breaking is to love still, as if it trusts that its own persistent pulse is the rhythm of a blessing we cannot begin to fathom, but will save us nonetheless. Amen.