The Subversive Power of Gratitude with Diana Butler Bass

The Subversive Power of Gratitude with Diana Butler Bass

Author: Interfaith Alliance November 28, 2024 Duration: 53:33
Happy Thanksgiving! This week on The State of Belief, we look at gratitude and appreciation from several angles: through the eyes of children, and of a theologian who literally wrote the book on giving thanks. Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush welcomes the youngest guests ever to appear on The State of Belief, his sons Walter and Glenn. Together, they think about what it means to be thankful, and share what they are thankful for. Then Paul brings a prayer by his great-grandfather, theologian Walter Raushchenbusch, that has particular meaning for him in this season. Then, Paul is joined by Dr. Diana Butler Bass, an award-winning author and commentator on religion and spirituality. The conversation covers Diana's journey as a writer and speaker, particularly in the past eight years; her work on cultivating an online community, The Cottage, on Substack; and her deep exploration into the practice of gratitude. They delve into her book Grateful: The Subversive Practice of Giving Thanks, discussing the transformative power of gratitude, especially in difficult times. Diana shares insights on how gratitude can reframe our understanding of our place in the world, drawing from personal experiences and historical contexts. The episode also touches on her collaborative project, the Convocation, and features a reading of Thanksgiving prayers significant to her. Diana Butler Bass, Ph.D., is an award-winning author, popular speaker, inspiring preacher, and one of America’s most trusted commentators on religion and contemporary spirituality. Diana is the author eleven books, although her husband insists she’s actually written one really long book in eleven volumes, each one building on what came before. In her books she has traced developments in Christianity in the United States, and in her own life. She has written books for congregations and for those who have thought about leaving church behind. In the process she has helped many people understand what they are experiencing and discover new ways of exploring their spiritual lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosted by Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, The State Of Belief is a weekly conversation that lives at the intersection of faith and public life, presented by the Interfaith Alliance. Each episode brings together a thoughtful and often surprising mix of voices-from religious leaders and activists to artists and civic strategists-for discussions that are as engaging and humorous as they are deeply meaningful. These dialogues move beyond abstract theory, offering a grounded look at how spiritual wisdom informs practical action and political engagement in real time. Tuning in, you’ll hear a potent blend of personal stories, strategic insight, and hopeful analysis from people working on the front lines of communities nationwide. The podcast operates from a simple but vital premise, captured in its tagline: “Where Religion and Democracy Meet.” It’s a space designed not for debate, but for exploration, examining how diverse beliefs shape our collective pursuit of justice and democracy. If you’re looking for a source that takes the pulse of faith in America with intelligence, warmth, and a sense of urgency, this is the series for you.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The State Of Belief
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