Exploring the Wilderness of Faith with Graham Pardun | Yours Truly Podcast

In this episode of the Yours Truly Podcast, host Christian Baxter engages in a deep and insightful conversation with guest Graham Pardun. Graham shares his personal journey through different religious experiences, from Protestantism to Orthodoxy, and now, to a new phase of exploration. The discussion delves into the complexities of faith, the search for meaning, and the intersection of spirituality and community. Through anecdotes and reflections, Christian and Graham navigate the labyrinth of religious identity, touching on themes of idealization, embodiment, and the quest for belonging. Join them as they explore the wilderness of faith and introspection in this thought-provoking episode.

Graham is a writer on his substack: “Sabbath Empire” boasting over 2,000 subscribers and the author of his first book: “The Sunlilies: Eastern Orthodoxy As a Radical Counterculture”.

Grahams Substack: https://sabbathempire.substack.com

Grahams Book: https://cistamystica.com/shop/sunlilies/

He was recently on ​⁠

@SpeakLifeMedia podcast with Glen Scrivner:

https://youtu.be/pGiCHF-yj3I?si=ldXb-H3wXFMgCcBx

And @heavythingslightly with John Heers: https://youtu.be/ekOioWZ8EqQ?si=rR1qCNb5Wiui5OMM

discussing his recent work! Check them out!

00:01 🎙 Introduction to Graham's Journey

03:19 🤔 Questioning the Meaning of Religious Community

05:37 🏡 Seeking a Sense of Place and Belonging

08:18 🌟 Idealization and Reality in Spiritual Exploration

24:35 🕊 Graham shares his journey through various Christian experiences,

31:29 🛤 Exploring the diversity of Christian experiences and seeking genuine fellowship,

38:13 🏞 Finding deeper meaning in spiritual practices and community living,

49:49 🏥 Personal experience during COVID-19 pandemic,.

51:11 🌾 Reflections on religious awakening and communal worship,

52:44 🕊 Personal journey in faith and community,

55:12 🤝 Reimagining religious community and practice,

01:13:38 🏞 The significance of the Orthodox Church's cultural richness

01:18:08 🌱 Seeking simplicity and surrender in faith

01:21:00 ⛪ Exploring the quest for the fullness of Christian life

01:26:05 🧩 Navigating layers of religious identity and meaning

01:29:33 🤔 Wrestling with the complexities of faith and surrender

01:35:01 🕊 Embracing simplicity amidst religious transition

01:39:28 🌱 Reflecting on the Human Experience

01:43:11 💔 Navigating Personal Faith Amidst Change

01:49:29 📚 Exploring Orthodox Faith and Ideals

01:56:36 📝 Substack: Sabbatical Empire and Visionary Theology